Joshimath, Uttarakhand

Joshimath, Uttarakhand

Joshimath is nestled in the Himalayas at a height of 6150 feet above sea level, enroute to Badrinath from Rishikesh in Chamoli District in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Joshimath is considered to be a center of great significance for pilgrims traveling in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. Joshimath is surrounded on three sides by the snow clad Trishul (7250m) in the south, Badri Peaks (7100 m) in the NW, and Kamat (7750m) in the north. In winter season, when Badrikashramam place is closed, the Sri Badrinath idol is brought from Badrinath and kept in this place and gives his place as Badri Narayanan for his devotees for six months.

There are temples to Narasimha and Vasudeva, built by Adi Shankaracharya here. Vasudeva temple in Joshimath is considered as one of 108 Divya Desams, the 108 temples of Vishnu revered by the 12 Tamil poet-saints or Alvars. Joshimath is also called as Thiruppirudhi. It is gateway to several Himalayan mountains climbing expeditions, trekking trails and pilgrim centers like Badrinath. This place can be a base station for travelers going to Guru Gobind Ghat or the Valley of Flowers National Park. It is home to one of the four cardinal Peethas established by Adi Shankara. Adi Sankara authored Sri Sankara Bashyam here. 

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2019/01/joshimath-legends.html

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2019/01/joshimath-temple.html

Singers

The temple is glorified in the Nalayira Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Azhwar saints from the 6^th – 9^th centuries AD. It is one of the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Vishnu. Only, Thirumangai Alwar had done the Mangalasasanam on Lord Vishnu. Among his 10 Paasurams, in 3 Paasurams, Tirumangai Alwar refers to Vishnu as Rama, Krishna and as 'Paraman' reclining on the thousand-headed serpent. It is widely interpreted that Tirumangai Alwar has sung of Vasudeva here in his decad of 10 verses.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 1 Km from Joshimath Bus Stand, 3 Kms from Vishnu Prayag, 41 Kms from Badrinath, 62 Kms from Nandaprayag, 83 Kms from Karnaprayag, 115 Kms from Rudraprayag, 181 Kms from Devaprayag, 252 Kms from Rishikesh Railway Station, 255 Kms from Rishikesh, 275 Kms from Haridwar, 276 Kms from Haridwar Railway Junction, 270 Kms from Dehradun Airport and 505 Kms from Delhi Airport. Joshimath lies on national highway NH58 that connects Delhi with Badrinath and Mana Pass in Uttarakhand near Indo-Tibet border. Therefore, all the buses and vehicles that carry pilgrims from New Delhi to Badrinath via Haridwar and Rishikesh in pilgrim season of summer months pass through Joshimath.

Rishikesh is the major starting point for road journey to Joshimath. Regular buses operate from Rishikesh bus station to Joshimath via Rudraprayag and Chamoli. The nearest railway station is at Rishikesh, which has a small railway terminal. Haridwar Railway junction, 24 Kms farther from Rishikesh, has train connections to most of the major cities in India. Nearest Airport is Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun.

Location