Places to Visit in Joshimath

Joshimath is one of the most sacred towns in Uttarakhand. The great Indian saint Adi Shankaracharya established Joshimath as one of the 4 maths in the 8th century. Joshimath is also famous as Jyotirmath. It is a major pilgrimage center for Hindus all over India. It is in the Garhwal Himalayas and the sacred rivers Alaknanda and Dhauliganga meet near Joshimath.

Joshimath is also the winter abode of Lord Badrinath. As per an age-old ritual, the main idol from Badrinath Temple is brought to Vasudeva Temple in Joshimath during the winter season. Joshimath is the base for trek to Valley of Flowers. Joshimath is also close to Auli. Vvisit so many ancient Temples in Joshimath. You can also tour other places in Joshimath when you book any of the Uttarakhand holiday Tour packages. You can do sightseeing in Joshimath in the following places.

1. Narsingh Temple

Narsingh Temple is part of the famous Sapt Badri Yatra in Uttarakhand. Lord Narsingh, who was a divine incarnation of Lord Vishnu, is the chief deity of this temple. Adi Shankaracharya, himself, established this idol in this temple. Narsingh Temple has spectacular architecture and is the winter home of Lord Badri.

2. Auli Ropeway

Auli Ropeway is the most famous attraction in Joshimath. This ropeway or cable car starts from Joshimath and ends at Auli. It covers an aerial distance of 4 km and offers magnificent views of the pine forests and scenic Himalayan peaks. Locals also call the cable car by the name of a gondola. The travel time in this ropeway is 25 minutes.

3. Nanda Devi National Park

Nanda Devi National Park is the most famous national parks you can visit near Joshimath. India’s second-highest mountain peak, is in this national park. This park has some of the rarest Himalayan animals and birds. A trek to Nanda Devi National Park is one of the famous treks in Uttarakhand. This park is full of Himalayan glaciers, pine forests, river gorges, and mountain peaks.

4. Kalpavriksha

Kalpavriksha is a mulberry tree in Joshimath, which is believed to be the oldest tree in India. The tree is said to have divine properties and can grant the wishes of whoever prays at the tree. This tree also does not shed its leaves at any time of the year. It stays evergreen at all times. The tree is very famous as Adi Shankaracharya worshipped under this tree many centuries ago. Jyoteshwar Mahadev Temple is at the base of this Kalpavriksha tree.

5. Shri Shankaracharya Math

Adi Shankaracharya established this math, or monastery, in Joshimath in the early 8th century. Joshimath is famous for this monastery. This monastery is a major spiritual center in Uttarakhand and teaches Upanishads, Vedas, and other Hindu principles. You can visit Laxmi Narayan Temple inside the premises of Shri Shankaracharya Math. Kalpavriksha and Jyoteshwar Mahadev Temple are close to Shri Shankaracharya Math.

6. Bhavishya Badri

Bhavishya Badri is the future home of Lord Badri and it is one of the famous places to visit in Joshimath. This temple is surrounded by beautiful pine forests. There is a deep mythological story behind this temple. People believe that when Kalyug will end, the road to Badrinath Temple will be closed. Then Lord Badri will appear at Bhavishya Badri.

7. Tapovan

Tapovan is one of the tourist places in Joshimath. It has many hot water springs and locals believe that the waters are very good at healing various skin diseases. Tapovan is a very beautiful place and is full of greenery and forests. Tapovan falls on the trek route to Bhavishya Badri and Kuari Pass. From Tapovan, you can view magnificent mountain peaks like Nanda Devi, Dronagiri, and Chaukhamba.

8. Ghangaria

The small village of Ghangaria is one of the best places for sightseeing in Joshimath. Ghangaria is best known for the base from where you can start your treks to Hemkund Sahib, Valley of Flowers, Ghangaria is a very scenic village with many homestays for accommodation. You can try some Kumaoni food at restaurants in Ghangaria.

9. Vishnuprayag

Vishnuprayag is one of the Panch Prayag in Uttarakhand and also the first Panch Prayag. The mighty rivers Alaknanda and Dhauliganga meet at Vishnuprayag. There are many ashrams in Vishnuprayag. Vishnuprayag is full of the natural beauty of high Himalayan mountain peaks and alpine forests. Vishnu Temple at Vishnuprayag is a very old temple. Tourists take a dip here at Vishnuprayag before they go on their Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra Package. Tourists can visit Kagbhusandi Tal, which is a glacial lake close to Vishnuprayag.

10. Govindghat

Govindghat is one of the places that you can visit if you are planning trip to Joshimath. Alaknanda and Lakshman Ganga rivers meet at Govindghat. Govindghat falls on the route to Badrinath and is also the base for treks to Hemkund Sahib and the Valley of Flowers. Gurudwara in Gobindghat is situated on the banks of the Alaknanda River. Govindghat is full of tourists during the Char Dham Yatra and the local market here has many restaurants, hotels, and small guest houses for a short stay.

11. Bagini Glacier

From Joshimath, you can go on a trek to Bagini Glacier. This is one of the most exciting treks in Uttarakhand. This amazing trek from Joshimath is most enjoyable as it will reveal the untouched natural beauty of the Himalayas. Alpine meadows or bugyals, Himalayan flora, and fauna, mighty Himalayan peaks, rocky terrain, river streams, will make this one of the most amazing treks from Joshimath.

12. Niti Valley

Niti Valley is very close to the Indo-Tibetan border. It is the last village near the Indo-Tibet border in Uttarakhand. Joshimath is the closest destination from where you can visit Niti Valley. Niti Valley is a spectacular place with scenic mountains, alpine forests, and rustic hamlets. The inhabitants of Niti Valley are simple villagers who still practice traditional farming and cattle grazing. You can visit Niti Temple, Faila Temple, Panchnag Temple, and many other places near Niti Valley.

13. Timmersain Mahadev

Timmersain Mahadev is a naturally formed cave that you can visit from Joshimath. This cave is in Niti Village and is famous for the ice shivalinga which is formed on its own during the winter season. Timmersain Mahadev looks just like the Amarnath Cave in Jammu and Kashmir. Timmersain Mahadev Yatra is a sacred pilgrimage tour to this rugged and mystic cave in Uttarakhand.

14. Chanap Valley

Chanap Valley is a hidden valley near Joshimath, and a trek to Chanap Valley is one of the most exciting things to do here. The trek to Chanap Valley is full of natural scenery like flowers, meadows, small hamlets, forests, rivers, and mountains. This Chanap Valley trek is still not very popular and is relatively untouched and pure.

15. Bhavishya Kedar

The temple of Bhavishya Kedar is in Joshimath and is believed to be the future abode of Lord Kedarnath. Inside the temple, there is a shiv linga an image of Goddess Parvati.

16. Gorson Bugyal

Gorson Bugyal is a lush green alpine meadow, which is surrounded by towering mountains and forests. It is near Joshimath and you can trek 3 km from Auli to reach Gorson Bugyal. Gorson Bugyal is the best place for camping and trekking.

17. Auli

Auli is the most scenic places to visit near Joshimath. It is famous for its ski resorts and trekking routes. You can learn skiing in Auli and is also best for mountain biking. You can ride a cable car from Joshimath and reach Auli by the aerial route. Auli has many famous tourist places and the most famous are Chattrakund, Auli Artificial Lake, etc.

18. Garhi Bhawani Temple

Just 6 km from Joshimath, Gari Bhawani Temple is a temple of Goddess Bhawani. The temple offers magnificent views of the surrounding mountains and Himalayan landscapes.

19. Kagbhushundi Tal

One of the most adventurous treks from Joshimath is a trek to Kagbhushundi Tal. This is a glacial lake and is surrounded by spectacular natural beauty. Flowers are growing everywhere around this lake, and snow-capped mountains and pine forests make this one of the most scenic lakes in Uttarakhand. The route passes through glaciers, river streams, pine forests, and grassy meadows.