Tungnath is a significant Hindu religious destination where people worship Lord Shiva and his hands. Tungnath includes the river valleys of the Alaknanda and Mandakini and is also known as the "Lord of Peaks." Tungnath, the tallest Kedar of the five, is a magnificent temple whose atmosphere calms the mind and the body. Located atop the Chandranath mountain at an elevation of 3680 metres. Similar to other high-altitude temples in Uttarakhand, Tungnath is only accessible by foot. The trail is quite simple to follow until it passes the temple and heads towards Chandrashila Peak, or the summit of the mountain. Adventure seekers can still use the trekking trail all year round, even if the temple closes for the winter.
Adi Shankaracharya is associated with finding the temple, which is believed to be over a millennium old. Also according to Tungnath temple history, it is believed that the third of the Pandava brothers, Arjuna, laid the foundation for this temple. This sacred shrine is located approximately 4 km from the stunning Chopta meadow in the Rudraprayag District of Uttarakhand's Garhwal Region. Travellers seeking the ultimate vacation experience will find our Tungnath travel guide to be extremely helpful as it is filled with knowledge on the greatest spots to see and incredible activities to do. Additionally, Tour My India offers a variety of bespoke Tungnath travel packages that guarantee an experience unlike any other.
Visits to Tungnath Mandir are especially enjoyable in April and June. The Tungnath Temple Tour is more popular throughout the summer. The winter months with severe snowfall prevent devotees from accessing the location. August is an excellent time to visit because of the lovely weather and lack of rain.
The Tungnath temple usually opens in the month of April/May every year, following the Hindu Vedic Panchang & Muhurat. The dates are decided by the Badrinath- Kedarnath Mandir Samiti during the Baisakhi festival.
Religious significance and breathtaking natural beauty are the main draws of Tungnath. Though the Tungnath Temple is the major draw, there are also hiking options and beautiful scenery around the area. The following are the main places to visit in Tungnath and its surroundings:
The highest temple in the world devoted to Lord Shiva is called Tungnath Mandir. The green fields at Tungnath temple offer an incredible view of the Himalayas that can leave anyone in awe. The natural beauty of Uttarakhand is on display at Tungnath temple, which is also one of the five Panch Kedar temples. It is strongly advised that anyone visiting Chopta should pay a visit to Lord Shiva's temple at Tungnath. It is believed that the third of the Pandava brothers, Arjuna, laid the groundwork for this temple. The temple is surrounded by twelve shrines dedicated to different gods and was constructed under the North Indian architectural style. The location is linked to many stories, one of which is the story of Lord Ram using meditation to lift himself from the curse of Brahmahatya after killing Ravana.
Chandrashila is the name of the peak located atop the Tungnath temple in India. It directly translates as "Moon Rock." The famous Chopta Chandrashila Trek starts from the charming Uttarakhand town of Tungnath. The town is surrounded by evergreen forests at a height of 2680 metres. Since it's one of the easier hikes in the Himalayas, beginners are advised to do it. The journey begins in Haridwar and ends at Chandrashila, covering a large region. The walk begins within the holy city of Haridwar and proceeds to the 2440-metre-high Devarivatal Lake. Visitors get a lovely view of the Chaukhamba mountain ranges from here. As one continues, Chopta, which has a height of 3000 metres, is seen. At an elevation of 3680 metres, Tungnath is the next. At 4130 metres, one eventually reaches the stunning Chandrashila Top.
The little Uttarakhand village of Chopta is a hiker's paradise. For experienced trekkers looking to join a guided trek and hone their skills, the base camp of popular treks such as Tugnanath, Deoria Tal, and Chandrashila, Chopta, is an excellent choice for them. Chopta guarantees a transformative expansion of the view of the world. The third Panch Kedar temple is located near Tugnanath, around 3.5 kilometres from Chopta. It is a soul-satisfying experience to camp in the wide, grassy meadows of Chopta, which gently slopes on amid pine, deodar, rhododendron, and alpine trees.
Deoria Lake is located at a height of 2387 metres along the Ukhimath-Chopta route. The Chaukhamba mountain encircles this lake, which is located at a high altitude. This is a great place to camp and see the snow-capped mountains. A plethora of pines surround the lake, which clearly reflects both the Chaukhamba peaks and these pines at the same time. One of Chopta's main draws is the lake itself, which receives an enormous number of tourists throughout the summer.
The renowned Musk Deer can be found in the Kanchula Korak Deer Musk Sanctuary, but perhaps the more interesting fact here is the abundance of lush greenery found in this sanctuary. Many of the locals claim that a lot of flora have not even been formally classified by scientists. Covering an area of 6 square kilometres, visitors can spend a significant portion of the day here, exploring the region with a pair of binoculars.
Visitors can engage in a range of activities in and around Tungnath Dham and the surrounding areas, from adventure sports to spiritual encounters. The following are a few of the best activities in Tungnath:
The Best Time to Visit Tungnath Temple is during its open months, primarily May to June and September to October. These periods ensure pleasant weather, making it ideal for a pilgrimage or trekking to the sacred Tungnath Dham. However, it's advisable to avoid the monsoon season due to potential disruptions caused by heavy rainfall. Winter, from November to January, brings heavy snowfall, leading to the closure of the temple. Yet, for those seeking a snowy experience, Tungnath can be visited during winter, though the temple remains closed. Tungnath Temple is situated at a high altitude, so plan your visit strategically based on your health and fitness levels to fully enjoy the spiritual and natural wonders of Tungnath.
The journey to Tungnath starts from Chopta which is the last accessible point for the vehicles. This is the base point for starting the Tungnath Yatra. The road from Chopta also leads to other places, like Rudraprayag which is well-linked to the biggest city areas in Uttarakhand. Starting in Chopta, travellers can trek 3 km to reach Tungnath and if they go 1 km more from the temple, they will reach the Chandrashila Peak, which rises to 4000 m high.
Also, Chopta is connected to Jolly Grant, the nearby airport in Dehradun. The airport is around 203 km from Chopta. The closetrain station is in Rishikesh/Haridwar. It is well connected to the region. It's 180 km away from Chopta. It is the spot where the road ends and the trekking trail begins.
The nearest lodging option to Tungnath is located in Chopta, which is only 4 kilometres away as one can find a variety of affordable guesthouses and homestays in Chopta. They are located in and around the village of Chopta. In Chopta, camping is among the greatest possibilities. During the trekking season, several businesses set up tented accommodations. But usually, they're only accessible during the trekking season.
In Chopta, there are also a few mid-range hotels that promise to meet all of the guests' demands. Other than this, Ukhimath and Rudraprayag offer respectable lodging. Rudraprayag has more hotels and lodging options than the other one.
The best time of the year to visit Tungnath begins from April to November. During this time the town is vibrant. The air feels fresh and relaxing in the summer. The mountain peaks are adorned with layers of pine, deodar and rhododendron. It is recommended to avoid the region during monsoon season as it becomes vulnerable to landslides. On the other hand, visiting Tungnath Temple during winter is unfavourable as the region experiences snowfall that lasts until early March.
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