Joshimath (Tiruppirudi)

One of the 108 Temples & Celestial Abodes of Vishnu revered by the Tamil hymns of the Alwars of the 1st millennium CE

Location: Joshi Mutt  near Rishikesh (Uttar Pradesh)
(
Vada Naadu)
Vishnu: Paramapurushan,
Taayaar: Parimalavalli
Theertham:Indra Theertham
Paasuram :Tirumangaialwar
Vimaanam:Govardhana Vimanam
Travel Base:Rishikesh

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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.

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