Tungnath Temple

Tungnath Temple  highest Shiva temple in the world and is one of the five and the highest Panch Kedar temples located in the mountain range of Tunganath in Rudraprayag district in the State of Uttarkhand.

It is located at an altitude of 3,680 m  and just below the peak of Chandrashila.It is 3 km Up hill from Chopta.

History :

The temple is believed to be 1000 Years old.

Legend :

Pandavas who attained victory during the Kurukshetra war by killing their brothers.Vyas Rishi advised the Pandavas  their act could be pardoned only by Lord Shiva. They Went in Search of Lord Shiva In order to keep away from them, Shiva took the form of a bull and went into hiding in an underground safe haven at Guptakashi, where Pandavas chased him. But later Shiva’s body in the form of bull’s body parts rematerialized at five different locations that represent the “Panch Kedar” where Pandavas built temples of Lord Shiva at each location, to worship and venerate, seeking his pardon and blessings. Each one is identified with a part of his body; Tungnath is identified as the place where the bahu (hands) were seen: hump was seen at Kedarnath; head appeared at Rudranath; his navel and stomach surfaced at Madhyamaheshwar; and his jata (hair or locks) at Kalpeshwar.

Lord Rama also Meditated at at the Chandrashila peak, which is close to Tungnath.

Temple :

It is an ancient temple built in the North Indian style of temple architecture.The architectural design of the temple is similar to the temples at Guptakashi, Madhyamaheshwar and Kedarnath. The temples inside the enclosure are made of stones with decorations painted on the outside and they depict tall towers. The highest dome has a wooden stage at the top. 

At the entrance to the temple there is a Nandi stone image facing towards the sanctum where Shiva’s idol is deified. At the right of the temple entrance there is the mandatory image of Ganesha.In the Main temple the idols of sage Vyas and Kala Bhairav disciples of Shiva, are also installed.Among the smaller shrines, the central temple is of goddess Parvati, Shiva’s consort.Statue of Adi Guru Shankaracharya is installed next to the main deity of Shiva.

Pooja In Temple :

The priest at this temple is a local Brahmin from Maku village.It is also said that the Khasi Brahmins officiate as priests at this temple.

Temple Opening and Closing Timings :

The temple opens during April or May every year.It is closed during winter season the deity and priests are moved to Mukunath ,which is 19 km from here.

Best Time To Visit : May to October 

How to Get Here :

By Road : Chopta is 63 km form Rudraprayag towards Karnaprayag and is reached from Rishikesh. From Chopta Tunganath Temple is 3 km.

By Train : Rishikesh is 215 km 

By Air : Jolly Grant , Dehardun 232 km