Joshimath is known for its stunning temple dedicated to Narasimha Devta, one of the avatars of Lord Vishnu. According to legend, Adi guru Shankaracharya placed this idol here himself. Joshimath is also an important winter stopover on pilgrims' way through to Char Dham yatra.
Art and Architecture
Joshimath lies at an elevation of 6,000 m in the Garhwal Himalayas and boasts many architectural masterpieces; however, its cultural gem stands out among them all - Narsingh Temple stands as a beacon of faith and devotion, drawing pilgrims from across India to its holy grounds. Legend has it that Lord Vishnu materialised himself here to protect Prahlada and defeat Hiranyakashipu who tried to overpower them both.
IIT Roorkee geologist CP Rajendran of IIT Roorkee cautions that its loose topsoil and soft rocks can only bear so much, leading him to attribute its subsidence to inadequate construction, lack of greenery and drainage system issues as well as its location within an earthquake-prone region, often experiencing landslides which cause even further soil degradation resulting in buildings collapsing further due to being weakened by their soil structure.
Atul Sati, the convener of protesting residents in this town, blames government indifference for forcing people out. Atul points fingers at NTPC Ltd's construction of a 12-km tunnel under his town to increase hydrostatic pressure and cause further sinkage; yet NTPC denies any link with increased hydrostatic pressure or sinkage of land beneath.
Temples
Joshimath offers the perfect blend of spirituality, adventure and natural beauty. This captivating destination boasts jaw-dropping temples, scenic treks and panoramic Himalayan mountain range views - where legends come alive through rituals that connect past to present, while its peaceful serenity inspires inner peace.
Narsingh Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu and one of the 108 Divya Desams, stands out as a major landmark. Renowned for its architectural marvels and over 1200 year of history, Adi Shankaracharya believed he experienced spiritual enlightenment here, which eventually lead him to write Sri Sankara Bhashyam.
Yogadhyan Badri Temple is another prominent temple in the area and serves as the winter home for Badri Vishnu, drawing worshipers from across India during winter months when Badrinath remains closed for season. Devotees also believe that his idol is taken there during those months so his statue remains visible.
Joshimath offers more than impressive temples; it also boasts several significant confluences of the Alakananda River, providing nature lovers with stunning vistas of Uttarakhand's incredible landscape. Rudraprayag and Vishnuprayag are two popular prayags; during monsoon season these locations experience heavy rainfall that could result in landslides.
Murals
Narsingh Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his half-lion and half-human form, is an oasis of faith and devotion for devotees across India. It represents divine protection and the victory of good over evil; according to legend, Adi Shankaracharya played an instrumental role in installing its idol at this holy shrine.
Joshimath has been beset by both natural and manmade disasters. These have included flooding in June 2013 and glacial lake burst that killed 200 workers in 2021, respectively. Meanwhile, hydro power and road projects have created additional slope instability issues while experts at Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology discovered that its foundation gneissic rocks have low bearing capacities due to construction activities, leading to extreme wear-and-tear over time.
According to a 1976 report of the MC Mishra Commission, Joshimath's area is unsuitable for settlement due to its high risk of landslide and seismic activity. Yet construction work continued unchecked - weakening slopes of this high-risk town further and leading to rapid cracking in buildings, pavements and roads; protests by residents have even taken the form of staging overnight dharnas in Joshimath.
Music and Dance
Culture-wise, Gangotri town's culture is grounded in spirituality. Temples provide space for Hindu rituals. Gangotri is also the gateway to Uttarakhand's four Char Dham pilgrimage sites: Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri.
Joshimath sits at an elevation of 1875 m and serves as a hub for trekkers in Garhwal region, providing rest stop during pilgrimages to Char Dham yatra. Home to several ancient temples as well as one of four pithas established by Hindu philosopher and theologian Adi Shankaracharya himself - one is Adi Shankaracharya Math.
Locals have lashed out against state-owned NTPC, alleging their Tapovan Vishnugad hydropower project caused the sinking. "NTPC must compensate residents," demands Atul Sati of a protest group trying to save their town.
Subsidence has forced many to evacuate. Rajeshwari Devi, 70, and her husband Laxman Prasad Sati, 80, left their two-room house and are now living in temporary shelter. Unfortunately they were never told the exact amount their homes would sink; having taken out loans to build them they are waiting for compensation payments from authorities. Experts agree this subsidence serves as a warning that towns built on unstable grounds can be susceptible to disaster.
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