Joshimath is a hilly town at 1875 meters. The bracing climate, magnificent scenery and religious significance make this place an ideal retreat in the Himalaya.
At dusk, Nanda Devi, Neelkanth and other Himalaya peaks present a feast of colour, which is repeated in the early hours of morning. Auli, a beautiful ski resort is a few kilometers above Joshimath. One can take the ropeway ride to Auli, which is the world’s highest ropeway. Today, Joshimath is a comparatilively modern town with small hotels, modern shops, and even a cinema.
The word ‘Jyotirmath’ the place of Jyotirlinga of Shiva. Shankaracharya founded one of the four piths (or maths) for sanyasin here. It is a halting place for the pilgrims bound for Badrinath. It is considered to be one of the most sacred places by Hindus who believes that Badrinath (The God Vishnu) resides here in winter. Joshimath also is described in the ancient scriptures as Kartikeyapura, because the Katyuri kings named it after their God, Kartikeya.
The temple dedicated to Narasingha (an incarnation of Vishnu), is situated in the heart of Joshimath on the old route to Badrinath through the bazaar area. Of all the temples in Joshimath, the Narasingha temple is the most magnificent. Carved from shaligram, it was supposedly crafted in the 8th century during the reign of King Lalitaditya Yukta Pida of Kashmir. An arm of the idol of this deity is said to be thinning daily and it is believed that when it breaks off the road to Badrinath will be close by a land slide.
To the south of the big square in front of
the temple there is a roofed building housing a stone cistern with two brass spouts known as Danddhara and Narshimha Dhara between which there are brass idols of Rama and
Sita.
There are several temples here, each dedicated to Hanuman, Ganesha, Surya, Gaurishankar and Naudevi respectively. At a short distance in front of the temple there is a brass idol of Garuda, Vishu’s vehicle.
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 rom 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.
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. 
The Narasingha legend is a fascinating one. Hiranyakashyap, the demon king, worshipped Vishnu and received a boon that made him invincible and invulnerable to both man and beast. The boon also protects him from death, during day and night, indoors or outdoors. Thus assured of immortality, the demon king showed his true colors and declared himself to be God. To end his tyranny Vishnu assumed the form of Narasinghaor half-lion. He then slayed Hiranyakashyap, when the sun had just half set, and it was neither day nor night. The act was done at the thresholds, making it neither indoor nor outdoor. People believe that one day the hand of the idol will finally fall off and it is supposed that Badrinath shrine will shift to Bhavishya Badri.
Accomodation
There are a number of guest houses and dharamshalas in this Joshimath which would be easy to locate.
