New Delhi: Tungnath Temple, one of the Panch Kedars temples, is one of the highest Lord Shiva temples in the world. It is located in Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand. Tungnath means Lord of Peaks. It is situated at an altitude of 3,680 m and just below the Chandrashila peak. According to legends, this is believed to be linked to Pandavas.
On the occasion of Mahashivratri, which will be observed on February 26 this year, let us look at how to reach Tungnath Temple and its route.
Reaching Tungnath Temple: A Comprehensive Guide to Trekking Routes
- The trek to Tungnath Temple is 5 km (3.1 miles) long and starts from Chopta, which is situated at 9,600 feet (2,926 meters) above sea level.
- Chopta is 23.9 km (15 miles) from Rudraprayag on the way to Karnaprayag.
- One can reach Chopta from Rishikesh by travelling through Devprayag, Srinagar, and Rudraprayag.
- The Tungnath trek is the shortest of the Panch Kedar routes. Depending on the fitness level of the trekkers, it can be completed in about 4 to 5 hours.
- The trek involves a steep climb from 9,600 feet to 11,350 feet (2,926 meters to 3,459 meters).
- The path is stone-paved and has benches at intervals for resting. One can enjoy beautiful views and various plants and animals along the way.
- Many pilgrims take this trek as part of the Panch Kedar journey, which includes visiting five temples over a total distance of 170 km (105.6 miles), starting from Rishikesh in this order: Kedarnath, Tungnath, Rudranath, Madhyamaheswar, and Kalpeshwar.
- Most people visit Tungnath from late April or early May to October, as the temple is closed during winter due to snow. Chopta also sees few visitors during this time, although some spiritual practitioners may come in winter to avoid the crowds. The final climb to Chandrashila is an additional 2 km (1.2 miles).
- The nearest airport is Jolly Grant in Dehradun, 258 km (160 miles) away. The closest railway station is Rishikesh, 241 km (150 miles) from the temple.
Tungnath Temple Weather & Best Time to Visit
The climate is generally cool throughout the year. Summers are pleasant, with daytime temperatures around 16 degrees Celsius. Winters are very cold, and temperatures often drop below freezing. The best time to visit the temple is from April to September. Due to heavy snowfall, Tungnath Temple remains closed for about six months in winter.
Exploring Tungnath
Tungnath Temple is over 1,000 years old and features impressive architecture. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The priest at this temple is a local Brahmin from Makkumath village, which differs from other Kedar temples, where the priests are from South India. This practice started with the Hindu seer Adi Shankara in the eighth century.
During winter, the symbolic image of Lord Shiva is moved to Markandeshwar Temple in Makkumath village, which is 29km from here. It is near Duggalbitha 10 km (6 mi) before Chopta towards Ukhimath. The trek to Tungnath goes through rocky paths, green meadows, and rhododendron bushes, offering great views of nature. Trekkers can see many peaks in the Himalayas from Tungnath, which can inspire a sense of confidence and wonder.
Tungnath Temple, one of the highest Shiva temples globally, is located in Uttarakhand. This article details trekking routes from Chopta, the best time to visit and the weather conditions. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
