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Snow-dusted terraced slopes at Auli with high snow peaks rising across the valley under a blue sky
Photo: Srijan96 · CC BY-SA 4.0
ArticleVerified 2026-10-13

Things to do in Joshimath — temples, Auli and the walks from Govindghat

Six things to do in Joshimath: the Narsingh Temple, Jyotirmath, Vishnuprayag, Auli, and the walks from Govindghat to the Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib.

Joshimath is a town people pass through on the way to Badrinath, but it has enough of its own for a day, and it is the start of two of the best-known walks in the Garhwal Himalaya. Here are six things to do, in order of distance, with our measured road times.

1. The Narsingh Temple

The town's main temple, to Vishnu as Narsimha, about 6 minutes from the centre. By one Wikipedia account an idol of Badri is kept here through the winter. Narsingh Temple.

2. Jyotirmath

The northern of the four cardinal monasteries that tradition credits to Adi Shankara, with temples to Badrinarayan and Rajrajeshwari Devi and the cave where he is said to have meditated. A few minutes from the Narsingh Temple.

3. Vishnuprayag

About 21 minutes away, the confluence of the Alaknanda and the Dhauliganga, the first of the five Panch Prayag, at about 1,372 m. Legend says the sage Narada worshipped Vishnu here.

4. Auli

The high meadow and ski slope at about 2,800 m, 26 minutes up the road; host of the first South Asian Winter Games in 2011. Auli.

5. The Valley of Flowers

A national park of alpine meadows, open June to October, reached from Govindghat (34 minutes away) and then on foot via Ghangaria, with a three-day permit from the Forest Department. Valley of Flowers.

6. Hemkund Sahib

The Sikh gurdwara beside a glacial lake at about 4,572 m, on the same path from Govindghat and about 6 km above Ghangaria; no overnight stay at the lake. Hemkund Sahib.

Plans

The one-day plan covers the first four places except Vishnuprayag, and the two days with Badrinath add Vishnuprayag and carry on to the Badrinath Temple. Read how to reach Joshimath and when to visit first.

Places around Joshimath

The Joshimath guide →
Narsingh Temple, Joshimath — and Adi Shankara's Jyotirmath
Narsingh Temple, Joshimath — and Adi Shankara's Jyotirmath
temple · 6 min from Joshimath
Auli — the meadow and ski slope above Joshimath
Auli — the meadow and ski slope above Joshimath
town · 26 min from Joshimath
Valley of Flowers National Park — from Govindghat and Ghangaria
Valley of Flowers National Park — from Govindghat and Ghangaria
park · 34 min from Joshimath
Gurudwara Hemkund Sahib — the lake gurdwara above Ghangaria
Gurudwara Hemkund Sahib — the lake gurdwara above Ghangaria
temple · 34 min from Joshimath
Pandukeshwar — Yogadhyan Badri, below Badrinath
Pandukeshwar — Yogadhyan Badri, below Badrinath
town · 37 min from Joshimath
Badrinath Temple — the Char Dham shrine on the Alaknanda
Badrinath Temple — the Char Dham shrine on the Alaknanda
temple · 1 h 18 min from Joshimath
Mana — the village beyond Badrinath, with Bheem Pul and Vyas Gufa
Mana — the village beyond Badrinath, with Bheem Pul and Vyas Gufa
town · 1 h 23 min from Joshimath
Vasudhara Falls — the walk from Mana
Vasudhara Falls — the walk from Mana
waterfall · 1 h 31 min from Joshimath

Nearby destinations

All destinations →
The painted stone façade of the Badrinath Temple with its gilt cupola, under green slopes and a blue sky
Badrinath
22 km away · 4 itineraries · 4 places
A grassy mountain meadow among rocky outcrops and forest at Chopta, with snow peaks hazy in the distance
Chopta
36 km away · 3 itineraries · 4 places
The town of Almora spread across a terraced ridge under a blue sky with clouds
Almora
108 km away · 2 itineraries · 4 places
Rows of boats with red cushioned seats moored on Nainital Lake, with forested hills across the water
Nainital
130 km away · 2 itineraries · 5 places
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Questions people ask

What are the top things to do in Joshimath?

In town, the Narsingh Temple and Jyotirmath, Adi Shankara's northern math. Nearby, Vishnuprayag about 21 minutes away and Auli about 26 minutes up. From Govindghat, 34 minutes away, the walks to the Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib, each needing at least a night at Ghangaria.

How many days do you need around Joshimath?

One day for the town and Auli. The Valley of Flowers or Hemkund Sahib needs two or three days more, with nights at Ghangaria, and Badrinath is about 76 minutes up the valley if you are going on. Add the travel days from Rishikesh, about 248 km on our routing.

What should I know before visiting Joshimath?

That the town has been sinking since 2021: more than 700 buildings cracked, parts were zoned unsafe and demolition began in January 2023. Ask locally where it is safe to stay and walk. Also register on the state yatra portal if you are going on to Badrinath or Hemkund Sahib.