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Tungnath Temple
History of Tungnath Temple
Located amidst the wondrous mountains of Tungnath in Rudraprayag district, Tungnath temple is the highest Shiva temple in the world and is situated at an altitude of 3680 meters. It belongs to the Panch Kedars and is said to date back to an era almost 1000 years old. The foundation stone for this temple was laid by Arjuna, the third of the Pandava brothers. It was built in the North Indian architectural style and is surrounded by a dozen shrines of other gods. There are numerous stories associated with this place, including the one in which Lord Ram meditated to free himself from the curse of Brahmahatya, who had killed Ravana.
What makes this exquisite beauty so special is its location amidst beautiful mountain ranges and its religious significance, which has attracted millions of Hindu pilgrims from all over the world in the last five years. It is a fantastic place, especially for the adventurous out there, as they will have a great time trekking to reach the temple. It is a perfect combination of spirituality, beauty and serenity that makes it a safe and ideal destination for all tourists.
Morning Aarti at 6 AM and Evening Aarti 6:30 PM
The Tungnath Temple is the main attraction of the village. It is the highest Shiva temple in the world and is one of the five “Panch Kedar” temples dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. The temple is located at an altitude of 3,680 meters (12,073 feet) above sea level and can be reached by a short trek from the village. It is believed to be more than 1000 years old and is an important place of worship for Hindus.
The area around Tungnath is also popular for its picturesque views of the Himalayan mountain range. It is a popular destination for hikers and nature enthusiasts, who come to the area to enjoy the stunning scenery and experience the peaceful atmosphere of the village. The region is also home to a number of other temples and sacred sites, including the Madhmaheshwar Temple and the Kalpeshwar Temple.
Tungnath is accessible by road from the town of Ukhimath, which is located about 15 kilometers (9 miles) away. The village can also be reached by taking a bus or taxi from nearby towns and cities, including Rishikesh and Dehradun.
Architecture of the Tunganath Temple
The opulent temple is made of stones adorned with decorations painted on the outside depicting tall towers. On the highest dome is a wooden stage that also has sixteen openings. The roof of the temple is made of stone slabs and at the entrance is a stone image of Nandi facing the idol of Lord Shiva. On the right side of the temple entrance is an image of Lord Ganesha.
Inside the main chamber is the Ashtadhatu, which consists of eight metals, idols of the Holy Vyas and Kala Bhairav and the devotees of Lord Shiva. There are also images of the Pandavas and four other Kedar shrines in the premises. At the end of the Tungnath trail, the entrance to the temple is marked by the name “Tungnath” inscribed on a recently constructed arch.
The Tungnath Temple is a small and simple temple located at the base of the Chandrashila peak in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is the highest Shiva temple in the world and is one of the five “Panch Kedar” temples dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. The temple is believed to be more than 1000 years old and is an important place of worship for Hindus.
The temple is built in the traditional style of Kumaon architecture, which is characterized by the use of locally available materials and a simple, functional design. The temple is made of stone and wood and has a sloping roof covered with tiles. The main entrance to the temple is through a wooden gate, which is decorated with carvings and painted with bright colors.
Inside the temple, there is a small sanctum where the idol of Shiva is placed. The idol is made of stone and is adorned with flowers and other offerings. The temple also has a small hall where devotees can sit and offer their prayers.
In addition to the main temple, there are several smaller shrines and temples located in the surrounding area, including the Madhmaheshwar Temple and the Kalpeshwar Temple. These temples are also built in the traditional Kumaon style and are important places of worship for Hindus.
- The temple is located at an altitude of 3,680 meters (12,073 feet) above sea level and can be reached by a short trek from the village of Tungnath.
- The temple is an important part of the Panch Kedar circuit, which includes five temples dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. The other four temples in the circuit are Kedarnath, Madhmaheshwar, Tungnath, Rudranath, and Kalpeshwar.
- The Tungnath Temple is said to have been built by the Pandavas, the main characters of the Hindu epic Mahabharata, as a way to repent for their sins. According to legend, the Pandavas built the temple after they were exiled from their kingdom and spent many years wandering in the Himalayas.
- The temple is open to visitors from April to November, when the weather is relatively mild. During the winter months, the temple is closed due to heavy snowfall in the region.
The temple is an important place of pilgrimage for Hindus and is visited by thousands of devotees every year. It is also a popular destination for tourists and nature enthusiasts who come to the region to enjoy the stunning views of the Himalayan mountain range.
Tungnath Temple Trek
The Panch Kedar Yatra, which involves a trek to all five temples – Kedarnath, Tungnath, Rudranath, Madhyamaheshwar and Kalpeshwar – is considered very auspicious. The trek is undertaken to visit all five shrines located in the Kedar Valley and complete the circuit. Kedarnath is at the head of the Mandakini River, Madhyamaheswar is at the foot of the Chaukhamba peak at an altitude of 3500 m, Tungnath is in Garhwal at an altitude of 3810 m, and 500 m above the Tungnath temple is the Chandrashila peak.
One can trek through the dense forests and alpine meadows to reach Rudranath and Kalpeshwar, located in the beautiful valley of Urgam. The Chopta-Tungnath trek is an easy hike. The Panchchuli Peak, Nanda Devi, Kedarnath and Nilkanth are clear and offer a magnificent view of the scenic beauty of the surroundings. The trek starts from Haridwar and ends at Chandrashila with numerous other places along the way. Since it is an easy trek, it is perfect for beginners.
The Tungnath temple and the Chandrashila peak, which offers a complete view of the valleys below, are the two main highlights of this trek. This trip goes all the way from the divine city of Haridwar to Devariya Valley Lake, which is at an altitude of 2440m. Then you will pass Chopta, which is at an altitude of 3000m, surrounded by beautiful and serene surroundings. Then comes Tungnath at an altitude of 3680 m and finally you reach the summit of Chandrashila at 4130 m.
Tips for visiting Tungnath Temple
- 1. Photography is not allowed inside the temple.
- 2. visitors must take trekking boots, a thick winter jacket against the cold, sunscreen, water and medicines prescribed by a doctor.
- 3. make sure to wear waterproof trekking shoes as there is a high risk of slipping on the snow. Shoes can also be hired at the starting point of the trek for about INR 200. You can also carry a walking stick for extra support during the trek.
- 4. You can carry power banks to charge your mobile phones as there are no charging stations on the trekking route.
- 5. there is limited network connection on the trekking route. Internet connection is erratic and limited to 2G.
- 6. take mackintoshes to protect yourself in case of rain. There are no major covered stopping points on the route.
Key notes
Please note that the temple is only open to visitors for a few months. Normally, pilgrims come to the temple during the summer months, while it closes its doors at the end of October. During the winter months, Lord Shiva then moves to the Makkumath temple and the shrine remains covered with snow during this time of the year.
Trekking itinerary:
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What is the distance by Air , Train and Road
Train: The nearest railway station is Haridwar, which is about 225 km away from Chopta.
Road: State-owned buses and private buses run regularly to and fro from the neighbouring cities and states to Chopta.
What are the festivals celebrated at Tungnath Temple?
Dussehra: This is an important Hindu festival which is a celebration of the victory of good over evil. Dussehra is the day when Lord Ram killed Ravana and established peace and prosperity. As a ritual, devotees burn an effigy of Ravana.
Tungnath Temple Opening and closing dates ?
Tungnath temple remains closed for six months due to heavy snowfall. The Badri-Kedar Temple Committee decides the opening/closing dates of the temple. The temple usually opens in April or mid-may.
Tungnath Closing Dates The gates of the Tungnath temple are closed in October or November. The symbolic idol of Lord Shiva is moved to the nearby Makkumath Temple and worshipped there till re-opening. Makku is also known as the winter seat of Tungnath Mahadev.
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