Joshimath

Joshimath is a city in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, India, a major tourist destination and a pilgrimage site at an altitude of 11,000 ft (3,400 m) that serves as a gateway to the Hindu pilgrimage town of Badrinath.

Joshimath, in the Garhwal Himalayas, is also known as Jyotirmath. It is on route from Haridwar and Rishikesh to the Hindu sacred shrine of Badrinath. It is also the junction for people visiting Auli, one of the best skiing spots in India.

The drive from the valley is very scenic and runs along the Ganges and its tributaries.

• 🌍 Bhavishya Kedar Temple. As per local belief, present-day Kedarnath will disappear along with Badrinath and re-appear in Bhavishya Kedar temple at Joshimath. This temple has small shivling  
• 🌍 Narsinh Temple. This is an ancient temple of Lord Vishnu in Narsinh Avtar and the main temple of Joshimath. It has an idol of Lord Narsinh, which is considered established by Shankaracharya  
• 🌍 Shanakaracharya Math. This is the Math established by Adi Shankaracharya in North India. It has a temple of Badrinarayan and Rajrajeshwari Devi, and a sacred cave where Adi Shankaracharya supposedly undertook tapasya.  
• 🌍 Jyotirmath Temple, Upper Bazar. 6AM-7:30PM. An important temple dedicated to Hinduism and Advaita Vedanta. Free. (updated Dec 2023)
• Tapovan, Rajpur Rd. According to legend, Guru Dronacharya did penance here. It has natural hot springs and a nice view of the river Dhauliganga. 
• Interpretation Center of Bio-Cultural Diversity., Lata Village (25 kilometers upstream along the Dhouli Ganga river on Niti-Malari highway). The center showcases the bio-cultural diversity of the Nanda Devi National Park region. It has a museum as well as a souvenir shop. 

• Kagbhusandi Lake Trek: The trek starts from Govind Ghat and ends in Auli. This offbeat trek takes you to a sacred lake situated at an altitude of 5,230 m.
• Kuari Pass Trek: An easy to moderate level trek located in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, India. The trek is also known as lord curzon trail, and is considered one of the oldest trekking routes in the Himalayas.
• Valley of Flowers Trek: The trek starts from Govind Ghat and is a round trip of 5 to 6 days from Rishikesh onwards. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is home to rare alpine flora and offers unmatched views of waterfalls and snow-capped Himalayan peaks. The best time to visit is between mid-July and mid-August for the full alpine bloom. One can directly get permit from the check-post in Ghangaria, no need to apply prior. INR 150 per person for Indian Nationals and INR 600 per person for Non-Indian Nationals. This permit is valid for three days.

• Cable car ride to Auli
• Day Hike to Gorson meadows
• Trek to Nanda Devi National Park

• 🌍 Gurudwara Hemkunt Sahib. They are very welcoming. Free accommodation and food, donation of ₹50-75/night recommended. (updated Sep 2023)
• 🌍 GMVN Tourist Rest House (Nargingh), ☏ +91 9568006668. Dorm/room ₹500/2,000. (updated Sep 2023)
• 🌍 GMVN Jyotir Tourist Complex, ☏ +91 9568006667. Dorm/room ₹400/1,700. (updated Sep 2023)

• Auli – One of India's best ski resorts, just south.
• Badrinath – 50 km north, a Hindu holy town and the most important of the four Hindu pilgrimage centres in Uttarakhand.
• Ghangaria – South of Badrinath, it's the gateway to the Hemkunt pilgrimage site and the Valley of Flowers.
• Kedarnath – Relatively close, considering you are already in this area. It is one of the four Hindu pilgrimage centres in Uttarakhand, at 3,400 m, which you need to hike at least 16 km to.