This idol of the goddess is 1 meter (3.3 ft) tall. It is believed that this idol was established by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century after taking it out from the nearby Narad Kund. It is considered to be one of the eight self-manifested images of Mata. Mata Murti Temple has been known by different names in different times. Mata Murti Temple is dedicated to the mother of Lord Badri Narayan. It is situated on the right side of the Alaknanda river bank at a distance of three kilometers from the Badrinath temple. Every year in the month of August, a fair is organized at Mata Murti Mandir. According to the legend, Mata Murti did penance to Lord Vishnu and asked him for a boon that he should be born in his next incarnation from her womb. Lord Vishnu, pleased with the worship of Mata Murti, granted her this boon, and to destroy a demon, Shri Hari was born in the form of Nar-Narayan as the child of Mata Murti. It is believed that the mother gives the boon of detachment to those who do penance and devotion with a sincere heart.
Mata murti is believed to have prayed to Lord Vishnu, asking him to take birth from her womb. Granting her wish, Lord Vishnu was born as twins Nar and Narayan, with the aim to kill a demon. It is also popularly believed that Mata Murti has the power to grant vairagya (renunciation from pleasure and pain) to people who meditate here sincerely.
During Navratras, lakhs of devotees come to the court of the mother. Here people take blessings from the mother to fulfill their wishes. It is believed that every wish asked from the mother is fulfilled. One must visit this temple in the week of Navratri.
The Badrinath temple, too, can be easily accessed from here.