Attraction Guide: Tungnath Temple, Rudraprayag, India

Tungnath Temple Guide

Tungnath Temple: Journey to the Highest Shiva Shrine in the World Guide

Embark on a spiritual journey to Tungnath Temple, the highest Shiva temple in the world, nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand, India. Perched at an altitude of 12,073 feet, this ancient shrine is one of the Panch Kedar temples, a group of five sacred temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. The trek to Tungnath is a rewarding experience, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding snow-capped peaks and lush green meadows. Prepare to be mesmerized by the serene beauty and spiritual aura of this Himalayan gem. The history of Tungnath Temple is deeply rooted in Hindu mythology. Legend has it that the Pandavas, the heroes of the epic Mahabharata, built this temple to atone for their sins of killing their cousins, the Kauravas, in the Kurukshetra war. Lord Shiva, displeased with their actions, disguised himself as a bull and hid in the Garhwal Himalayas. The Pandavas, in their quest to find him, built temples at the places where parts of the bull's body appeared. Tungnath is believed to be the place where Shiva's arms were found. The temple is believed to be over 1000 years old. The primary activity at Tungnath is, of course, visiting the temple and offering prayers to Lord Shiva. The trek to the temple is a moderate one, approximately 3.5 kilometers from Chopta, the base camp. The trail winds through rhododendron forests and alpine meadows, offering stunning views of the Himalayas. The best time to visit Tungnath is from May to October, as the temple remains closed during the winter months due to heavy snowfall. While there are no specific culinary traditions directly associated with the temple, you can find simple vegetarian food and tea stalls along the trek route and in Chopta.