Tungnath Temple - तुंगनाथ मंदिर

Tungnath Temple is the highest Shiva temple in the world situated at an altitude of 3680 meters. Tungnath (meaning Bhagwan of the Peaks) mountain is located just below the peak of Chandrashila in the Mandakini and Alaknanda river valleys. Tungnath Temple is the tallest of the five Panch Kedar temples located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand.

History and legend of Tungnath Temple
Tungnath Temple is 1000 years old and it is second in the sequence of Panch Kedars. It has a rich legend associated with the Pandavas, the heroes of the epic Mahabharata. And it is also believed that the present temple was built by the Pandavas to please the Bhagwan. The place boasts of a serene and religious environment where one can feel the presence of the Almighty.

Legend also states that Bhagwan Ram, the main figure of the Ramayan epic, meditated on the Chandrashila peak, which is close to Tungnath. It is also said that Ravana of Ramayan fame did penance to Shiva, the Bhagwan of the peaks, during his stay here.

Worship at Tungnath Temple
The Tungnath temple has local priests from Maku village, unlike other Kedar temples where the priests are from South India, a tradition set by the eighth-century Hindu seer Shankaracharya. It is also said that Khasi Brahmins act as priests in this temple.

How to reach Tungnath Temple
Tungnath Temple, Chopta is 63 km from Rudraprayag towards Karnaprayag and is reached from Rishikesh via Devprayag, Srinagar and Rudraprayag. By Road: Tungnath can be reached 212 kms by Kund-Gopeshwar road till Chopta. From Rishikesh via Chamoli-Gopeshwar-Chopta route. Buses and taxis ply along the way. Tungnath Temple is 3 km from Chopta.

Best time to visit Tungnath is May, June, September, October. The Tungnath Temple opens during summers and is the ideal time for pilgrims to visit this temple of Bhagwan Shiva. The Tungnath temple remains closed during winters and there is snow everywhere.