Most people who visit Auli start their journey from Joshimath. But little did they know, Joshimath also has amazing places to visit and things to do that makes it one of the popular destinations in Uttarakhand.
Located in the Chamoli district, Joshimath is a sacred town that has a celestial aura in the entire Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. It is also known by the name of ‘Jyotirmath’ and is the winter seat of Lord Badri. In winters, the idol of Lord Badri is shifted from Badrinath Temple to Vasudeva Temple, which is located in Joshimath. Thus, it is also a highly revered place by Hindus and makes a significant pilgrimage center.
Apart from this, this town serves as the base for trekkers heading to the upper area of the Himalayas. This makes it a popular location among adventure seekers too. Valley of Flowers trek too can be done as it starts from Joshimath itself.
Joshimath is also the starting point of Malari and Niti Valley, which resembles the vegetation and mountains of Leh Ladakh and the Spiti region. You can enjoy so many activities in Joshimath that are listed below and visit the top attractions people come from far to see.
Here’s the complete information about Joshimath, places to visit in Joshimath, places to stay, and more.
Best time to visit Joshimath
April to November is a good time to visit Joshimath. During monsoon, make sure to contact the local authorities about the weather and road conditions. As the winter sets in, Lord Badri’s idol is brought down to Joshimath’s Vasudeva Temple, which makes winter season an ideal time to visit Joshimath especially for Hindu devotees.
But remember the weather gets bitterly cold, so carry heavy woolens. Also, Auli’s Gorson Bugyal Trek is quite famous among trekkers in the winter season, which starts from Joshimath too.
Places to visit in Joshimath
When in Joshimath, here are a few places you need to check out to make your trip more exciting -
- Auli Ropeway: The ropeway to Auli starts from Joshimath, which only costs around INR 500 (one way).
- Narsingh Temple: It is dedicated to Lord Badrinath and Lord Narsingh is considered as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu or Badti.
- Nanda Devi National Park: A trek from Joshimath will lead you to this beautiful national park.
- Badrinath Temple: You can seek blessings at the Badrinath Temple, which is only 2 hours drive away from Joshimath. Remember, this is only possible in summer and monsoon season.
- Kalpavriksha: A holy tree, Kalpavriksha is a mulberry tree and is believed to be 1200 years old. As per the Hindu scriptures, Lord Shankaracharya worshiped Lord Shiva under the tree.
Things to do in Joshimath
Here are the famous things to do in Joshimath on your trip –
- Trekking: It is the most famous activity that people come to Joshimath for. Several treks including the popular Valley of Flowers trek starts from Govind Ghat, which is approx. 20 km from Joshimath.
- Auli Ropeway: If you are planning a trip to Auli, then you can enjoy Auli Ropeway that starts from Joshimath.
- Skiing in Auli: You can take the cable car from Joshimath to Auli Ski Resort and from there ski on the snowy slopes in winters. You do not have to be a professional to be able to do skiing in Auli. There are skiing courses available for 4 to 14 days.
- Camping: Stay under the stars for the night by opting for camping in Joshimath. You can hire tents on rent or bring your own. There are many level grounds located close to nature you can set up and have a great time with your loved ones.
Where to stay in Joshimath
As you already know by now, Joshimath is located near Badrinath, which receives a large number of tourists and pilgrims. Thus, Joshimath has developed plenty of hotels as well as guesthouses in recent years. You can book accommodation in Joshimath ranging from budget guesthouses to luxury hotels.
Remember that during the peak season, pilgrims are more likely to stay in Joshimath as finding a place to stay in Badrinath becomes difficult.
How to reach Joshimath
Being a popular destination in Uttarakhand, Joshimath is connected to the rest of the county by road, rail, and air. So, here are the different ways to reach Joshimath –
- By Air: The nearest airport to Joshimath is Jolly Grant in Dehradun, located approx. 266 km away. It is connected to major cities like Delhi and offers regular flights. You can take a taxi or bus from the airport to reach Joshimath.
- By Rail: Rishikesh Railway Station is the nearest railhead. It is located at a distance of around 250 km from Joshimath and can be reached from various cities in India. Buses and taxis can be availed from the railway station to reach Joshimath.
- By Road: Preferred way to travel to Joshimath by many, the roads leading to this location are in great condition. You just have to contact the local authorities during monsoon as it is a landslide prone area. Buses are available from ISBT Kashmiri Gate in Delhi and other places in Uttarakhand like Pauri, Rishikes, Karnaprayag, Chamoli, Ukhimath, and Rudraprayag.
