Jyotirmath or Joshimath is a monastery or Math placed in the town of Joshimath in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. Jyotirmath is one of the four monasteries established by Adi Jagatguru Shankaracharya in the 8th century CE. It is also famous as Shankaracharya Math.
The northern monastery or uttaramnaya, Jyotirmath houses many pious deities. A holy Laxmi Narayan Temple is located inside the Shri Shankaracharya Math. The idols of Badrinarayan and Rajrajeswari Devi are also placed inside the temple. One can also find temples devoted to Lord Narsimha and Lord Basu Dev.
The beautiful monastery of Jyotirmath stands at a height of 6,150 feet and the serene setting of majestic Himalayas raises the religious aura of this place.
It is believed that the great Adi Guru Shankaracharya attained enlightenment in the holy cave under the Kalpavriksha (a Mulberry tree) situated at this place. He wrote the well known Shankar Bhashya inside the cave. A shivalingam which Adi Shankarcharya himself brought from Kailash is also very beautifully located inside the cave.
The best time to visit Jyotimirmath is April to November. During winter’s heavy snowfall make the weather freezing cold. In monsoon heavy rainfall takes place. So, April to November is the ideal time to visit Shankaracharya Math and to explore the nearby tourist spots of Joshimath.