Joshimath – Legends

Joshimath – Legends

Thiruppirudhi:

Thiruppirudhi is otherwise called as Joshimath, explains that it has a close relation between the Lord Vishnu and his devotees. Devotees shows their Preethi (affection) towards the Lord Vishnu and they get the same from the Lord Vishnu. Because of this reason, the place got the name as Thiruppirudhi.

Bhavishya Badri:

This is an ancient temple of Lord Vishnu in Narsingh Avatar and main temple of Joshimath. It has idol of Lord Narsingh, which is considered established by Shankaracharya. As per local belief, the right hand of this idol has become as thin as hair. On the day when it will break, the mountains Jay-Vijay (which are situated on a way to Badrinath) shall join and become one and Lord Badrinath of Badrinath temple will disappear from present temple and re-appear as black stone (Shaligram) at new place called Bhavishya Badri, which is situated at a distance of 10 km from Joshimath.

Residence of Kanva Maharishi:

It is said that the Kanva Maharishi also lived in this place.

Aadhi Shankaracharya:

Sri Aadhi Shankaracharya, came all the way from Kerala in the 8^th Century A.D., performed penance under a tree here and after getting enlightenment, established a Mutt known as Jyotirmath. This Jyotirmath later became Joshimath. Joshimath, is the first mutt established by Shri Adi Sankara, 6150 feet above sea level. Adi Sankara authored Sri Sankara Bashyam here. Jyotirmath is the uttaramnaya matha or northern monastery, one of the four cardinal institutions established by Adi Shankara, the others being those at Sringeri, Puri and Dwarka. Their heads are titled Shankaracharya. According to the tradition initiated by Adi Shankara, this matha is in charge of the Atharvaveda.