Joshimath, historically known as Jyotirmath, is a sacred and ancient town located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, India. Its history dates back to the 8th century when Adi Shankaracharya, the great Hindu philosopher and reformer, established a monastery (matha) here — one of the four cardinal mathas in India. This makes Joshimath a spiritually significant town in Hinduism. Situated in the lap of the Himalayas, Joshimath is also the gateway to the holy Badrinath Dham. In addition to its religious role, the town holds strategic military importance due to its proximity to the Indo-China border, and it is home to key army establishments.
