Temples of the
Himalayas
Description: Joshimath is nestled in the
Himalayas at a height of 6150 feet above sea level, enroute to Badrinath from
Rishikesh. Joshimath is considered to be a center of great significance for pilgrims
traveling in the Garhwal region of Uttarpradesh. There are temples to Narasimha
and Vasudeva, built by Adi Sankaracharya here. Joshimath, is the
first mutt established by Shri Adi Sankara, and is located at a distance of 14 kms from
Helang enroute to Badri 6150 feet above sea level. Adi Sankara authored Sri Sankara
Bhashyam here .
In the temple for Narasimha , is enshrined Badrinarayan along with
a pantheon of deities. The presiding deity Lord Narasimha is believed to have been
established by Adi Sankara. Joshimutt 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.
(See Also: A Himalayan Pilgrimage - Part II)
Tirumangaialwar: Tirumangaialwar the Alwar Saint of the 9th century
CE, sings in Tamil in ten verses, of Vishnu (Rama) at Tiruppirudi. Tirumangaialwar
refers to Vishnu as Rama, Krishna and as 'Paraman' reclining on the thousand headed
serpent. It is widely interpreted that Tirumangaialwar has sung of Vasudeva here in his
decad of 10 verses. Another school of thought holds that Nandaprayag - the confluence of
rivers Nandakini and Alaknanda. situated at a distance of 190 kms from Rishikesh. is
Tiruppirudi. .There is a temple to Gopala at Nandaprayag. |
