Joshimath: A Place To Experience Uttarakhand’s Vibrant Culture

It is home to numerous temples, including the Narasimha and Gauri Shankar.

Uttarakhand, also known as the Devabhoomi, is home to several holy rivers, spiritual places, pilgrimages, hill stations, and towns that make you experience this region’s vibrant culture. This Indian State is divided into slightly different areas – the Kumaon Division and the Garhwal Division.

There is a total of 13 districts in Uttarakhand. Out of them, the Garhwal division consists of seven districts, and the remaining six are under the Kumaon division. Joshimath is a city in the Chamoli District in the Garhwal division of Uttarakhand. Located at 6150 feet, it is a city with great mythological and historical significance.

Let’s know more about the city of Joshimath in detail:

The Sacred town of Joshimath

Joshimath, or Jyotirmath, is an important religious place in Uttrakhand. According to the beliefs, this city is near one of the four maths that Adi Guru Shankaracharya founded in the 8th century. This is why it is considered a sacred town. Another reason behind its great significance is that it is also the winter home of Lord Badri. Every year the idol of Lord Badri is shifted from the Badrinath temple to the Vasudev temple in the city. It is home to numerous temples, including the Narasimha and Gauri Shankar. Apart from this, it also has the 1200 years old sacred Kalpvriksha.

Why visit Joshimath?

Although the city of Joshimath is more of a religious place, it also has some trekking points, national parks, sightseeing destinations, and camping sites. Also, the homestays here give you a great insight into the rich culture of Uttarakhand. Located right below the snow-covered Himalayas, offering some amazing picturesque locations, this place can be heaven for photography lovers.   

Best time to visit Joshimath

The best time to visit Joshimath is from April to November. The other seasons witness extreme weather conditions,; thus, they are unsuitable for travel.

How to reach Joshimath?

Joshimath is located in the Chamoli District. Being situated on the hill, you must reach the nearest plains and take any road transport. The following options are available to get the most immediate plain area to Joshimath

  • By Air

 The nearest airport to Joshimath is Jolly Grant Airport. It is 222 Km away from Chamoli District. Hire a taxi from outside the airport to reach the city.

  •  By Train

 To reach Joshimath, you must board a train to Rishikesh, which is 202 Km away from Chamoli. Take any cab or bus from here to get there.

  •  By Road

 Joshimath lies in the Chamoli district, which has a well-connected network of motorable roads. You can take any interstate bus to Rishikesh or Srinagar. From there you can hire taxis to reach your destination.

Places to visit around Joshimath

  • Ropeway to Auli
  • Narsingh Temple
  • Kapavriksha
  • Vishnuprayag
  • Ghangaria
  • Gari Bhavani Temple
  • Nanda Devi National Park
  • Tapovan
  • Govindghat
  • Bagini Glacier Trek