Narsingh Temple

Narsingh Temple (Narasimha Temple) is an ancient and holy Hindu sanctuary situated at an elevation of 1,890 meters (6,200 feet) in Lower Bazaar Joshimath in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. Consecrated to Lord Narasimha (the fierce half man, half lion fourth incarnation of Lord Vishnu), this historic stone temple is the official sacred winter seat of Lord Badrivishal (Badrinath), where the deity's ceremonial idol (Utsav Murti) is transferred and worshipped during the six months when Badrinath Dham is covered in deep snow.

Dating back to the 8th century and attributed to Adi Guru Shankaracharya, the temple houses a unique Shaligram stone deity of Lord Narasimha seated in a meditative posture. According to ancient local prophecy recorded in the Sanatsujatiya, the left wrist (arm) of the Narasimha idol is thinning gradually with each passing year; it is believed that on the day the arm breaks completely, the mountains of Jay and Vijay near Vishnuprayag will collapse, closing access to present day Badrinath and ushering the emergence of Bhavishya Badri. Pilgrims traveling through Joshimath visit the sanctum to witness the grand winter poojas and participate in traditional Rawal aartis.