Tungnath Temple is the highest and one of the oldest Shiva temples in the world. It is situated at the Chandrashila Parvat which is also known for its holy significance in Hindu mythology. For all the Shiva followers this can be the great trek to the extreme and witness the highest temple in the world.
Tungnath Temple is one of the Panch Kedar and the highest among the five temples. Panch Kedar temples are dedicated to lord Shiva and strict order needs to be followed by the pilgrimage to these temples. Panch Kedar includes Kedarnath, Tungnath, Rudranath, Madhyamaheshwar and Kalpeshwar.
Tungnath Temple
Tungnath is the tritiya (3rd) Kedar among the Panch Kedars. It is believed to be more than 1000 years old and the highest among all the Kedars. The Tungnath temple is situated at an elevation of 3680 meters.
Apart from being an attraction for pilgrims, travellers also have Tungnath on their travel list as it offers a great scenic view of the Himalayan ranges, flora, and fauna. Shri Adi Shankaracharya discovered this sacred temple. During winters, the symbolic image is moved to Muktinath as the snow covers the temple.
In this blog, I will be sharing all the necessary information that you need to know for Tungnath Trek in Uttarakhand.
Trek to the Highest Shiva Temple: Tungnath Mahadev
The trek to the Tungnath temple is a fairly easy trek. However, the steep incline can be tiring for some. The trek starts from Chopta village and it is roughly around 3.5 km which can be completed in a day easily. However, there are a few additions that you could make to the trek and make it more adventurous. I will share the details of the addition below separately.
The pathway is well maintained for the pilgrims and if tired you can also take a ride till the temple. I personally don’t recommend that as the animals are brutally treated so that we can trek to these pilgrimage sites.
The trek offers some great viewpoints in between where you can rest and have lunch and snacks. However, it is always advised to check weather conditions before as rain and snow can make the trek difficult to complete.
We went to the Chandrashila-Tungnath trek in 2019 and the weather was pleasant. While returning back everything changed drastically and a hailstorm started. So the weather is unpredictable, it is better to consider the conditions in advance and make preparations accordingly.
After reaching the top, you can relax and enjoy food at the local dhabas. There are a variety of options for food and snacks available. Try to carry cash when trekking as online payment might get stuck due to low network connectivity and weather conditions.
Recommended Addition to the Tungnath Trek
If you are travelling to explore the beauty of Chopta, then there are a few other additional treks that you can add to your trip and make it more adventurous. I have personally done these treks and trust me on this, the experience was amazing. The best part about the addition I am going to suggest is you will have to add one day to your trip and you can experience it.
Going to Tungnath temple and going back to your regular life would not do justice to the place. So here are two additions that you can make on your trip.
- Chandrashila Peak
View from Chandrashila Peak
Chandrashila Peak is the mountain peak that is recognised as the meditation place of lord Ram. The peak offers a majestic 360-degree view of the Himalayan ranges. With a small temple on the peak, you can also enjoy the view and meditate.
The trek to Chandrashila starts after the Tungnath temple. However, as compared to the path of Tungnath, the path to Chandrashila Peak is fairly difficult. There are no pathways or plain surfaces to reach there. You will have to trek through the mountain terrain.
The 1.5 km long trek will take energy and time. So be prepared for that in advance. Also, after Tungnath temple you will not find any shop or dhaba so carry all your necessary items with you.
Once you have reached the peak it is all worth it. The time to reach the top is during sunset, as you can witness the view of a lifetime.
I would definitely recommend adding Chandrashila Peak to your list as it is on the way. All you need is time and energy to conquer another majestic peak.
- Jungle trek in Chopta
Now coming to the second addition, this is recommended to all travellers who love to explore nature and spend time in nature. This jungle trek is 18 km long and is only doable during summer.
Completing the trek would take daytime and you will be in the jungle exploring your way through. It is a great experience, though based on the preferences you can choose to opt for it.
For the Jungle trek, you will have to hire a guide so that you get out of the jungle safely during the daytime only.
Winding up
Exploring nature and holy sites can be the best combination together. There are many temples that can only be reached by trekking. Tungnath Mahadev is one of them. The temple being the highest in the world offers great views and landscapes to enjoy while you pray to Lord Shiva.
The best time to visit Tungnath temple is during summer, as the temperature and weather stay pleasant and the trek is fairly easy as compared to other seasons.
I hope that you found this blog helpful. If you have any doubts or concerns, please leave them in the comments section below. I will try to resolve them. Thanks for reading! Cheers!