Joshimath
the name Joshimath is a corruption of the Sanskrit word ‘Jyotirmath’
the place of Jyotirlinga of Shiva. Shankracharya founded one of the four
piths “Centres’ for sanyashis here. It is a halting place for
the pilgrims bound for Badrinath. It is considered to be one of the most
sacred places by Hindus who believes that Badrinath (The God Vishnu) resides
here in winter.Joshimath has a temple dedicated to Narshimsha, an incarnation of Vishnu, an arm of
the
idol of this deity (which is install in the temple) is said to be thinning
daily and it is believed that when it breaks off the road to Badrinath
will be close by a land slip. To the south of the big square in front
of the temple there is a roofed building housing a stone cistern with
two brass spouts known as Danddhara and Narshimha Dhara between which
there are brass idols of Rama and Sita.There are several temples here, each dedicated to Haniman, Ganesha, Surya, Gaurishankar and Naudevi respectively. These temples surround that of Vashudeva the black stone idol install in it, which is two meters high and stand on a lotus pedestal, being of fine craftsmanship and being flanked by standing figures of Sridevi and Bhudevi. In the temple are also the idols of the ten avtars of Vishnu. At a short distance in front of the temple there is a brass idol of Garud,Vishu’s vehicle.
