JOSHIMATH, the historical town in the border district of Chamoli in Uttarakhand, is the gateway to the world-famous snow sports destination Auli, supreme abodes of faith Badrinath and Hemkund Sahib, and the Valley of Flowers, which draw lakhs of pilgrims and tourists from the country and abroad every year. Years ago, Gaura Devi started the Chipko Movement to protect the environment from Raini village near this town. Asia’s longest ropeway passes over this town.The winter seat (residence) of Badrinath, the sacred pilgrimage centre of Hindus, is also here in the Narasimha temple.