Temples in Joshimath | Narsingh Mandir | Kalp Vriksh | Jyotrimath | Gadi Mata | Vishnu Prayag

There are a lot of temples in Joshimath where you would like to go. Apart from the temples that are seen in this video, there are also many temples here. There is a huge history of all the temples here that you will be interested to know.

Narasimha Temple - This temple is dedicated to Lord Narasimha. This temple was founded by Adi Guru Shankaracharyaji. The left hand of the idol is becoming thinner with time and when it disappears, the path of Shri Badrinath Dham will either be closed or become very difficult. Then Lord Badri will be seen in the Bhawashya Badri temple which is 14 kilometer by car and then you have to walk 4 kilometer. Taking photographs of the idol of the Lord of this temple, his worship is absolutely forbidden by any devotees other than the worshipers.

Sri Vasudev Temple - Sri Vasudev Temple is near the Narasimha Temple and is a very tall idol and 24 incarnations are inscribed on the idol.

Amar Kalpavriksha - An oldest tree in India, The Kalpa tree is in the form of the jatas of Lord Shankar. It is a mulberry tree and the mulberry tree is not as big as it is. When Adi Shankaracharya came here, he meditated under this tree. And it was here that he received the light of knowledge. Under this tree is the temple of Joteshwar Mahadev, which was also founded by Adi Shankara. The circumference of this tree is 22 meters which has covered the entire temple. Now Armed forces in Joshimath have installed a wired mesh around the Kalpavriksha in order to protect and preserved this historic and spiritual tree.

Jyotirmath or Jyotish Pitha - Shri Shankracharya Math is a monastry in established by Adi Jagatguru Shankaracharya. Famously called as Jyotirmath, Shankaracharya Math is one of the four Mathas (Monastries) established by Adi Jagatguru Shankaracharya and his disciples. Trotakacharya, a disciple of Adi Jagatguru Shankaracharya has established Shankaracharya Math under the supervision of Adi Jagatguru Shankaracharya in 8th century. A cardinal institution, Jyotirmath is a uttaramnaya matha or northern monastery. These Mathas were established to teach the importance of monastic life as written in Vedas, Upanishads and Brahma Sutra. Present Joshimath also gets its name from 'Jyotirmath'. A Laxmi Narayan Temple is situated inside the Shri Shankracharya Math and idols of Badrinarayan and Rajrajeshwari Devi is beautifully located inside the temple.

Gadi Mata - Maa Parnakhanda is known here as Gadi Mata. Here, Goddess Parvati meditated long after eating dried leaves to marry Lord Shiva. It is very much a proven Shaktipeeth. Beneath this temple is a very large cave where the mother meditated and no one can enter that cave.

Vriddh Badri - At the bottom of the hill of Mother Parnakhanda Devi is an Vriddh Badri. At first it was not easy to go to Badrinath, then the elders who were there at that time chose this place and used to do their sadhana here and Lord Narayana appeared here in old age. Then the place was named Vriddh Badri.

Vishnuprayag - Bedecked on the holy confluence of Alaknanda and Dhauliganga rivers, Vishnuprayag is a bijou city tucked at 1,372 metres above sea level. The riveting Vishnuprayag is the first one among the Panch Prayags, the other four being Nandaprayag, Karnaprayag, Rudraprayag and Devprayag according to descending order of river. Surrounded by colossal valleys, the divine Vishnuprayag attracts several pilgrims to enrapture in the spirituality of this place. According to a Hindu legend, sage Narada indulged in a serious penance at this place to appease Lord Vishnu “The Preserver”. Pleased with his devotion, Lord Vishnu then appeared in front of Narada and blessed him with his cosmic energy. The locals believe that Vishnu temple located about 2 km away from Vishnuprayag is the place where Lord Vishnu blessed Narada.