Narsingh Mandir

Narsingh Mandir, also known as Narsingh Temple, is a sacred Hindu shrine located in the town of Joshimath in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. The temple is dedicated to Lord Narasimha, the fourth avatar of Lord Vishnu, who is depicted as half-human and half-lion.

The temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams, the holy abodes of Lord Vishnu, and is also part of the Sapt Badri group of temples. The temple has a rich history dating back around 1,200 years. It was established by Adi Shankaracharya, who installed the Shaligram idol of Lord Narasimha.

The temple is known for its unique feature: the idol of Lord Narasimha is said to be slowly shrinking, particularly the right wrist, which is believed to be a sign of an impending prophecy.

According to the prophecy, a destructive landslide will occur at the end of the Kali Yuga, blocking the route to Badrinath, and the deity will move to Bhavishya Badri. The temple is also significant because it serves as the winter abode of the Badrinath idol.

During the winter months, the idol of Badrinath is brought to Narsingh Mandir, and the temple becomes a focal point for devotees.