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.
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