• UGI USER
  • Jun 13, 2024
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“UTTARAKHAND RENAMES JOSHIMATH TO JYOTIRMATH, KOSIYAKUTOLI TO KAINCHI DHAM”

Why in the news?

  • The Centre approved Uttarakhand’s proposal to rename Joshimath tehsil to Jyotirmath and Kosiyakutoli tehsil to Pargana Shri Kainchi Dham.
  • The renaming was a longstanding demand citing historical and spiritual significance, with Jyotirmath linked to Adi Guru Shankaracharya and Kainchi Dham to Baba Neem Karoli Maharaj.

Key Facts about Joshimath:

  • Geographical Position: Hilly town situated on the Rishikesh-Badrinath National Highway (NH-7) in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand.
  • Tourism Hub: Acts as an overnight rest stop for visitors to Badrinath, Auli, Valley of Flowers, and Hemkund Sahib.
  • Geological Profile: Located in high-risk seismic Zone-V.
  • Strategic Importance: Key location for the Indian armed forces, housing significant cantonments.
  • Religious Significance: One of the four cardinal maths (monasteries) established by Adi Shankara, along with Sringeri, Dwarka, and Puri.
source:worldatlas
About Adi Guru Shankaracharya:

  • Birth: Born on 11th May 788 AD in Kaladi near Kochi, Kerala.
  • Devotee of Shiva.
  • Propounded:the Advaita (Monism) doctrine, writing commentaries on Upanishads, Brahma Sutras, and Bhagavad Gita in Sanskrit.
  • Major Works: Brahmasutrabhasya, Bhajagovinda Stotra, Nirvana Shatakam, Prakaran Granths, etc.
  • Contributions: Revived Hinduism amidst rising Buddhism’s influence.
  • Established four Mathas at Shingeri, Puri, Dwaraka, and Badrinath for Sanathana Dharma propagation.
  • Advaita Vedanta: Emphasizes atman as pure non-intentional consciousness, nondual, infinite, and identical with brahman.