The Shri Narsingh Temple Joshimath is known by many other names, such as Narsingh Devta, Jyotirmath, Narasimha Badri, and Narasingh Badri Temple. It is situated amongst the beautiful Garhwal Himalayas, drawing a calm and serene view for the devotees that visit this temple in Joshimath, Chamoli district of Uttrakhand, all year round. The temple was made in honour of Lord Vishnu’s fourth incarnation – Lord Narasimha. He was a half-man, and the lion is a symbol of good wins over evil. Adi Shankaracharya, a Hindu philosopher and theologian, built this temple during the 8th century. The idol of Lord Narasimha, who resides inside the temple, was built during the rule of King Lalitaditya Yukta Pida of Kashmir.
About Shri Narsingh Temple Joshimath
It is believed that Adi Shankaracharya, a Hindu philosopher and theologian, constructed the statue of Lord Narasimha from Shaligram stone. It measures 10 inches, and the idol is seated in a lotus position with eight arms holding various items. Interestingly, during the winters, the priests at the Badrinath temple, where Lord Vishnu is worshipped again, shift to Shri Narsingh Temple Joshinath, 39.9 km away, to continue worshipping Lord Badrinath. This lasts 6 long months as Badrinath is buried under a thick layer of snow. The priests shift the idol of Lord Badrinath to this temple and place the idol right next to the idol of Lord Narasimha.
The most mysterious occurrence observed in the temple of Shri Narsingh Joshimath is the idol of Lord Narasimha itself. The idol installed by Adi Shankaracharya has one arm made thinner than the rest of the idol. It is said that a terrible landscape will occur once the arm falls off, making the route to Badrinath temple completely inaccessible. It is speculated that the idol of Lord Badrinath will be shifted 20 km away from Joshimath to Bavishya Badri Temple. If this event occurs, it will mark the onset of Kalyug or the beginning of the end.
Must Read: Places To Visit In Joshimath
Neighbouring Places To Visit In Joshimath
When one travels to such a scenic and breathtaking mountain place, it is necessary to make the best of it. Here are a few more places to check out on your way to the Shre Narsingh Temple Joshimath:
1. Nanda Devi National Park
Image Credits: Michael Scalet for wikimedia commons
This UNESCO World Heritage site is located on the upper reaches of the Himalayas. The park resides in an area of a total of 6,407.03 sq km which is shared with another park called Valley of Flower National Park. The entire area spans districts such as Chamoli, Pithoragarh, and Bageshwar. There are many spectacular sights to stop and take in, especially the Alakanda River and tributaries such as Ganga, Dhauli, Pushwapati, Rishi Ganga, etc. Apart from the variety of tourist spots, ranges, and peaks to see, the animals residing in this park are many, such as snow leopards, Asiatic black bears, Himalayan brown bears, etc., and to round it all off, bird-watching is a common activity in this park. Trekking the park is one of the most frequently participated activities available for tourists to see the entire beauty of the park.
Best Time To Visit: May to October
Distance From Joshimath: 17.8 km
2. Vridha Bhadri
Another place to take advantage of is the Vridha Bhadri temple in Chamoli district, which dates back to the Gupta Dynasty. It is part of the Sapt Bhadri and stands at a height of 1,380 m in Animath. This temple, too, is visited by many Vaishnaites throughout the year to pay their respects to Lord Vishnu. The biggest advantage of this temple is that it is open all year long however, the best months to visit are between May and October. It is advised to avoid trips to the temple during monsoon season as the area is prone to heavy rainfalls and landslides.
Best Time To Visit: May to October
Distance From Joshimath: 11.1 km
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3. Kalpavriksha – The Divine Tree
This old Mulberry tree holds holy and religious significance in India. Its mention in the Hindu scriptures adds to its spiritual importance in the country. It is located in Jyotimath, now known as Joshimath, where the Shivalinga constructed by Shankaracharya covers it, and the Jyoteshwar Mahadeo Temple of Lord Shiva is built under this very tree. March to May and September to October are the ideal time to visit this holy tree and pay your homage. It is located on NH58 in Joshimath. Its location is perfect as multiple roads are well-connected to destinations such as Dehradun, Haridwar, Chamoli, Srinagar, Rishikesh, and Badrinath.
Best Time To Visit: March to May, September to October
Distance From Joshimath: 2.2 km
4. Chenab Lake
If you want your trip to Uttrakhand to be all-around, adding a stop to Chenab Lake is necessary! After passing the Dang Village, you come upon this magical lake surrounded by green trees and a vast landscape of hills and meadows. However, to reach such a beautiful place, one must endure a slight bit of hardship, but if acquired with the right equipment and the perfect guide, the bad road conditions are worth it.
The best time to visit is to witness the lake’s amazing beauty from May to October. Tourists trek in groups to reach the lake as no vehicles can go up to the lake. One can take a car from Joshinath to Vishnu Prayag, which is 10 km away. The trekking point starts from Thaing Village, which is another 8 km away from Vishnu Prayag. As the path to reach is long and tedious, the trekkers stay overnight and continue their walk to Dhar Kharak, only 4 km away.
Best Time To Visit: May to October
Distance from Joshimath: 28 km
Further Read: Offbeat Places Near Nainital
If you plan to go to Uttarakhand this summer, add this destination to your itinerary for a picture-perfect vacation. This guide will help you plan your trip and discover low-key spots. So pack your bags and book your tickets for your trip to Uttarakhand to make the most of your vacation with loved ones.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Shri Narsingh Temple Joshimath
What are the visiting hours of Shri Narsingh Temple Joshimath?
On a typical day, the darshan starts from 6 am onwards to noon followed by 3 pm to 9 pm. So plan accordingly and reach the temple in time for darshan.
What are the precautions to visit the temple?
People are advised to be prepared beforehand as the weather in Joshimath can be quite cold. Make sure you carry a shawl or some warm clothes in case it gets cold at the time of your visit.
What are the entry fees?
There is no entry fee as such. Devotees can enter without being charged. Please be respectful of the surroundings and do not push in case of a crowd.
What are the festivals celebrated in the temple?
The temple celebrates festivals like Holi and Narasimha Jayanti. So if you want to witness the festivities then plan your trip accordingly.
Is the temple part of any Yatras?
Yes, the Shri Narsingh temple Joshimath is part of the Char Dham Yatra.
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