| Joshimath
is described in the ancient scriptures as Kartikeyapura, because the Katyuri
kings named it after their God, Kartikeya. This place is also
known as Jyotirmath. Joshimath, located at a height
of about 6,000 ft, is one of the four great
"maths", or monasteries, |
 |
established
by the great Adi Guru Shri Shankaracharya in the 8th century AD.
Joshimath was the heart of religious and cultural activity in those days
and continues to be the same even today.
Just
below Joshimath, two rivers, the Alaknanda and the Dhauliganga,
meet at the confluence of Karnaprayag. The
river Dhauliganga, coming from the Niti
Valley, is approachable from Joshimath by vehicle up
to Malari town and beyond. The entire route is lined with thick
deodar forests. From Malari, one track goes towards Niti
village via Kailashpur, Farkia, Bampa and Ghamsali.
The entire valley throbs with activity
in summer. Niti is the last village of the valley and from here the
track goes towards the Niti Pass (5,299 m) and Marchokla.
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The
inhabitants of these valleys are simple,
sturdy and dynamic like their Jauhari counterparts
in Kumaon. Joshimath is a fairly large
town. It has to be, since most of Badrinath
arrives here to spend the winter months
when the shrine of Badrinath remains snowbound
for six months. |
It is the
winter shrine of Badrinath, who is worshipped
here during the winter months. Today, it is a comparatilively
modern town with small hotels, modern shops, and even a cinema.
Accommodation
There
are number of guest houses and dharamshalas in this place.
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