Joshimath, also known as Jyotirmath, is a town and a municipal board in Chamoli District in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Located at a height of 6,150 feet (1,875 m), it is a gateway to several Himalayan mountain climbing expeditions, trekking trails and pilgrim centres like Badrinath. It is home to one of the four cardinal pīthas established by Adi Shankara. Since 7 February 2021, the area was severely affected by the 2021 Uttarakhand flood and its aftermath. The town is confirmed to be sinking due to its geographic location being along a running ridge. History Between 7th and 11th centuries C.E., Katyuri kings, ruled the area of varying extent from their capital at "Katyur" (modern day Baijnath) valley in Kumaon. The Katyuri dynasty was founded by Vashudev Katyuri. The ancient Basdeo temple at Joshimath is attributed to Vasu Dev. Vasu Dev was of Buddhist origin, but later followed Brahminical practices and the brahminical practices of Katyuri kings in general is sometimes attributed to a vigorous campaign of Adi Shankara (788-820 CE). According to Badari dutt pande in his book "kumaon ka itihas" he mentioned, Joshimath was the initial capital of Katyur dynasty and later on they shifted to Kartikeyapur (modern day Baijnath). King Vasudev was a devotee of god Narsingh (avatar of lord Vishnu). One day he went for hunting and lord Narsingh came in his home as disguised, his wife offered food to the god. After eating the food the god went in king's room for taking rest. When king arrived from hunting he got angry after seeing a man sleeping in his bed, he took his sword and cut the left hand of god. Instead of blood, milk started flowing from the wound. After seeing this king realised the disguised person is not a common man. He asked for forgiveness from the god. The god said he came because he was happy with his kingdom but after this incident he is cursing the king to move to new location (that is Baijnath) and because of this wound, the statue in temple will also have weak left hand and a time will come when this left hand from the statue will fall off that will be the end of his dynasty. Katyuri kings were displaced by the Panwar dynasty in the 11th century AD. 2021 glacial outburst flood and aftermath A part of the Nanda Devi glacier broke