Image Credits : Bibek Raj Pandeya
Image Credits : christian0702
Image Credits : Bibek Raj Pandeya
The Winter Abode Of Badrinath
Joshimath, located at an elevation of 6150 feet, is the home to one of the 4 ‘maths’ established by Adi Guru Shankaracharya in the 8th century. Also known as Jyotirmath, it is considered to be a holy place in Uttarakhand. The town is also the abode of Lord Badri since the idol is brought to the Vasudeva Temple, Joshimath from Badrinath Temple. The town is highly valued by the Hindus as an important pilgrimage spot since it is dotted with many temples like Gaurishankar and Narshima that attracts lots of devotees every year. Joshimath is a mesmerizing location surrounded by a quaint view of Himalayan mountain peaks and beautiful oaks.
Joshimath is also the famous gateway to many Himalayan mountain trekking trails, pilgrim centers, and climbing expedition. Moreover, the two massive rivers, Dhauliganga and Alaknanda, meet at the union of Vishnuprayag and overlook the Joshimath town. This makes it a must-visit place both for the pilgrims and adventure lovers.
Joshimath is the northern monastery or the “Uttaramnaya Matha.” It is one of the four chief institutions created by Adi Shankaracharya. The other three are at Shrinagar, Dwarka, and Puri. The matha is accountable for the Atharveda. Joshimath is the base station for people going to Valley of Flowers National Park or Guru Gobind Ghat. The Narasimha temple in Joshimath is treasured Badrinarayan with many other deities. It’s also believed that the idol of Lord Narasimha was placed by Adi Shankaracharya in the Narasimha Temple.
Katyuri Kings were from Joshimath originally. They ruled this area from Katyur, their capital from 7th century C.E. to 11th century C.E. Since it was Vashudev Katyuri who founded the Katyuri dynasty, the Joshimath’s ancient Basdeo temple is credited to Vasudev. Later, in the 11th century AD, the Chand Kings replaced the Katyuri Kings.
With every corner of Joshimath offering a pleasant and spiritual experience, there are certain places you should visit definitely when you are in the town. They include:
Camping: Joshimath has many camps like Char Dham Camps, Eco Lodge and Camps, etc. They organize different adventurous camps for tourists around Joshimath along with leisure activities like trekking, chair car ride, and more. Camping lets tourists stay in various camps under the clear sky.
Cable Car: You can enjoy the longest ever cable car from Joshimath to Auli covering a 4 km distance. This ropeway offers you a memorable experience in 15-20 minutes.
Trekking: This place is the base trekking route for trekking to Govind Ghat, Valley of Flowers, and Hemkund Sahib. The treks starting here belongs to all the categories from simple to difficult. They can be thus tried by individuals of every age.
Skiing in Auli: There is a cable car available to take you from Joshimath to the Auli sky Resort. Both professional and amateur skiers can ski here in the snowy slopes in winters.
Mountain Biking: Go for an exhilarating experience with mountain biking. One can find roads with various terrains from Joshimath to experience the scenic and attractive beauty of the place. You can either get your own bike or take one on rent.
Temple Visit: Many temples in Joshimath beg your visit. Each of them has its own importance. So, you should definitely add this to your to-do list.
Village Tourism: Joshimath is second to none when it comes to village tourism. You can find many quaint hamlets and villages around and in Joshimath. Visit them to get an idea about their traditions, culture, and prevailing lifestyle. Enjoy the picturesque beauty of the villages by traveling there.
Exploring Nature: If you wish to explore the beautiful nature when in Joshimath, Nanda Devi National Park is a must-visit place. The park is rich in for a and fauna. Cutting trees and hunting for animals is banned here.
