Tirtha Atlas

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Early medieval · Hindu · India

Narsingh Temple, Joshimath

जोशीमठ

Joshimath (Jyotirmath), Chamoli, Uttarakhand · 30.5550°, 79.5650°

Narasimha (Narsingh avatar of Vishnu)Adi Shankara (trad.)—Divya Desam
Sacred since
700 CE
first attestation / structure
Standing structure
trad. founded by Adi Shankara (8th c.)
Adi Shankara (trad.)

History & significance

The main temple of Joshimath, seat of the uttaramnaya matha founded by Adi Shankara, whose Narasimha idol is traditionally held to have been installed by the acharya himself. It is revered among the 108 Vishnu shrines sung by the Tamil Alvar saints.

Sthala katha — the traditional account

What follows is the temple’s own traditional account, transmitted through liturgy and local memory. It is recorded here as tradition, not as attested history.

The idol's left wrist grows ever thinner; when it finally breaks, the Nar and Narayan mountains are to merge and Badrinath will reappear as a black stone at Bhavishya Badri.

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Sources

coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-27 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Adi Shankara (trad.)