Uttarakhand ·
Joshimath
Joshimath is a city in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, India, a major tourist destination and a pilgrimage site at an altitude of that serves as a gateway to the Hindu pilgrimage town of Badrinath.
Joshimath at a Glance
Why Joshimath?
The highlights, landmarks and experiences that make this destination worth visiting.
- Vishnuprayag Dam
- Jyotirmath Temple
- Bhavishya Kedar Temple
- Shanakaracharya Math
- Narsinh Temple
Joshimath at a Glance
Essential travel information to understand Joshimath before planning your visit.
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Places to Visit
- Vishnuprayag Dam: The Vishnuprayag Dam lies in Chamoli district at the confluence of Alaknanda River and Dhauliganga River, in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, India.
- Jyotirmath Temple: An important temple dedicated to Hinduism and Advaita Vedanta.
- 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
- 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.
- 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
Things to Do
- 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: An important temple dedicated to Hinduism and Advaita Vedanta.
- Tapovan: 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.: The center showcases the bio-cultural diversity of the Nanda Devi National Park region. It has a museum as well as a souvenir shop.
Sightseeing Places
- Vishnuprayag Dam: The Vishnuprayag Dam lies in Chamoli district at the confluence of Alaknanda River and Dhauliganga River, in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, India.
- Jyotirmath Temple: An important temple dedicated to Hinduism and Advaita Vedanta.
- 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
- 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.
- 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
Temples
- Jyotirmath Temple: An important temple dedicated to Hinduism and Advaita Vedanta.
- 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
Places That Define Joshimath
Explore the most iconic landmarks and sacred sites.
Vishnuprayag Dam
The Vishnuprayag Dam lies in Chamoli district at the confluence of Alaknanda River and Dhauliganga River, in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, India.
Jyotirmath Temple
An important temple dedicated to Hinduism and Advaita Vedanta.
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
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.
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
Explore Destination on Map
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Explore Joshimath on Map
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Plan Your Trip
Plan Your Way
- When to Visit: Climate-based guidance for choosing your dates.
- Getting Around: How to reach and move around.
- Budget & Practical Tips: Costs and safety notes from local guidebook sources.
How to Reach
- By Air: The nearest airport is Dehradun Jolly Grant Airport (DED), about 139 km from Joshimath.
- By Road: The bus service operated by Uttarakhand Transport Corporation, a Government company starts from Tapovan, a town in the outskirts of the city.
Best Time to Visit
- Summer: Summer in Joshimath (Apr, May, Jun) averages 11–24°C with about 84 mm of rain per month.
- Monsoon: Monsoon in Joshimath (Jul, Aug, Sep) averages 17–26°C with about 152 mm of rain per month.
- Post-monsoon: Post-monsoon in Joshimath (Oct, Nov) averages 7–21°C with about 59 mm of rain per month.
- Winter: Winter in Joshimath (Dec, Jan, Feb) averages 1–16°C with about 51 mm of rain per month.
Weather
- Summer: Average highs of 24°C and lows of 11°C.
- Monsoon: Average highs of 26°C and lows of 17°C.
- Post-monsoon: Average highs of 21°C and lows of 7°C.
- Winter: Average highs of 16°C and lows of 1°C.
Suggested Itinerary
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Spiritual & Religious
History
- Summary: Joshimath is a city in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, India, a major tourist destination and a pilgrimage site at an altitude of that serves as a gateway to the Hindu pilgrimage town of Badrinath.
- Overview: Joshimath is a city in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, India, a major tourist destination and a pilgrimage site at an altitude of that serves as a gateway to the Hindu pilgrimage town of Badrinath.
- Ancient History: Between the 7th and 11th centuries C.E., Katyuri kings ruled the area of varying extent from their capital at "Katyur" (modern day Baijnath) valley in Kumaon. The Katyuri dynasty was founded by Vashudev Katyuri. The ancient Basdeo temple at Joshimath is attributed to Vasu Dev. Vasu Dev was of Buddhist origin, but later followed Brahminical practices and the brahminical practices of Katyuri kings in general is sometimes attributed to a vigorous campaign of Adi Shankara (788-820 CE).
Religious Significance
- Summary: Joshimath is a city in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, India, a major tourist destination and a pilgrimage site at an altitude of that serves as a gateway to the Hindu pilgrimage town of Badrinath.
- Famous For: Known for Vishnuprayag Dam, Jyotirmath Temple and Bhavishya Kedar Temple.
- Overview: Joshimath is a city in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, India, a major tourist destination and a pilgrimage site at an altitude of that serves as a gateway to the Hindu pilgrimage town of Badrinath.
The Sacred Heart of Joshimath
A timeless journey of faith and devotion.
Significance
Between the 7th and 11th centuries C.E., Katyuri kings ruled the area of varying extent from their capital at "Katyur" (modern day Baijnath) valley in Kumaon. The Katyuri dynasty was founded by Vashudev Katyuri.
Spiritual Significance
Between the 7th and 11th centuries C.E., Katyuri kings ruled the area of varying extent from their capital at "Katyur" (modern day Baijnath) valley in Kumaon. The Katyuri dynasty was founded by Vashudev Katyuri.
Pilgrimage Traditions
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Joshimath is most comfortable in February, May, June, October and November, when average daytime highs stay at or below 32°C and rainfall is low. The hottest month is July (average high 26°C) and the wettest months are January, March, April, July, August and September.
The nearest airport is Dehradun Jolly Grant Airport (DED), about 139 km away. See the How to Reach page for road, rail and air details.
Main attractions include Vishnuprayag Dam, Jyotirmath Temple, Bhavishya Kedar Temple, Shanakaracharya Math and Narsinh Temple.
A stay of 1 day covers the main sights. Ready-made 1-day and 2-day itineraries are linked on this page.
Average highs range from 14°C to 26°C over the year, with about 1089 mm of rain in total.
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