Joshimath or jyotirmath is a picturesque town in the lap of ‘gandhamaadan’ mountain enroute Shri Badrinath puri. It is one of the four mathas established by the adi guru Sankaracharya who did penance here under the ‘kalpa vriksha’ and got enlightenment. Besides the mathas and kalpa vriksha, the town has a very ancient temple complex known as the Narsinga temple complex. This temple is the winter seat of Lord Badrinath ji and also one of the ‘108’ divya deshams that the Hindu scriptures talk about. Lord Narasingha was the revered deity of adi guru Sankaracharya and the ‘saligram’ idol of the lord is said to be installed here by the adi guru  himself.

                                       Very next to the temple is an ancient building locally named ‘kotha’ which in its glorious days used to be the residence of ‘Rawal’, the chief priest of badrinath temple. Though a part of the ancient structure was dismantled, what remains of the building is worth a visit. It is a stone and mud structure with beautifully carved wooden work. The roof was made of timber covered with stone slates as was common in himalayas, but recently has been replaced with CGI sheets. The old structure houses the ‘bhog mandi’ where the food is cooked for Lord Narsinga and goddesses Nav Durga. The stone and mud building also houses the seat of goddess Raj rajeshwari, the family deity of adi guru Sankaracharya.

                                           On the first floor of this stone and mud structure is a large beautifully decorated hall where the palanquin of adi guru sankaracharya is kept for public display. In summers when the portals of Shri badrinath are opened for public, this palanquin along with “rawal ji’ the chief priest goes to the Badrinath Shrine. On this occasion special prayers are offered by rawal ji at Narsinga temple and the palanquin too is worshipped. A huge procession follows the palanquin as it symbolises the presence of adi guru Sankaracharya. For six months this Palanquin along with ‘rawal ji’ stays and Badrinath Shrine. In winters when  the portals of the temple are closed for public then this palanquin along with ‘rawal ji’ comes to Narsinga temple followed by huge procession. This symbolises the return of Lord badrinath ji to joshimath along with adi guru and the rawal ji. Henceforth Lord Badrinath ji worshipped at Sri Narsinga Temple during the winters. The beautifully decorated palanquin is kept for public display at joshimath until the portals of Badrinath temple reopens.

                                         The hall where the palanquin is kept for display is very nicely decorated with bright colors. The exterior consists of very beautifully carved wood colored in bright blue, yellow and red. Finely carved peacocks protrude from the walls and support the beautifully carved timber of the roof. The wooden support columns are colored in blue and silver, while the windows are colored in bright yellow. Stone staircases lead to the first floor where the palanquin is kept in a beautiful hall. The hall also has an idol of Adi guru Sankaracharya.  This stone and mud building with beautifully carved wooden work is worth a visit. Don’t forget to visit this place when you visit joshimath.