70 Abode of Gods'
motor road provides thrilling ride over dangerous mountain
faces, except upto Pipalkoti, the road is even and the surround-
ings pleasant. In this eventful journey the most horrifying place
is Belakutchi where in the year 1970, 28 buses were washed away
with some of the passengers. Only few could escape to tell the
horrifying tale.
A place called Helong lies deep in the gorge of Alaknanda.
From here one route proceeds towards Urgam valley where
Kalpeshwar and Dhyan Badri are located. Lord Badrinath chose
this place for meditation, hence known as Dhyan Badri. It is
really very beautiful valley. You only need to go into it and see
for yourself the many splendoured beauty of the valley. As we
leave Helong, the dangerous curves and climbs start and pass
through Vriddha Badari (old/original Badrinath).
Joshimath is an ancient town of significant historical value.
It was once the kingdom of Katyuri Kings and was renowned
as Katripura. It houses ancient temple of Vasudeva and
Narsimha. As per legendary accounts, Vasudeva temple was
very high and in course of time it gave way due to earthquakes
and ravages of nature but some of the sculptures which still
adorn this temple are unparalleled in details of exquisite ornamen-
tations, beauty and dignity of human body. The lips and eyes
are so pure, simple and serene that they inspire the feeling of a
living god before the devotee.
Here lives the old Rawal, whom I met quite frequently and
learnt from him so many things about the Holy Badrinath.
As per traditions, Jyotirmath is the seat of Lord Narsingha
whose deity is worshipped during winter by Sri Badrinarayan,
since times immemorial Here Sankracharya meditated under a
tree. The light of knowledge descended upon him. He establi-
shed here one of the four Maths of his order now called
Joshimath. These Maths (houses of religion) were to become
centre of all religious activity for the Sanatana (eternal) Hindu
Dharma.
Joshimath today occupies pivoted position and holds key to
the Indo-Tibetan borderland. In fact, since ages, it has been
centre of cultural exchange, therefore, the local population is of
mixed blending, mainly consisting of local cultivators, families of
Bhotias, priests of Badrinath, traders drawn from locals,