Tungnath Templeतुंगनाथ मंदिर

About Tungnath Temple

Tungnath Temple stands high in the Tungnath mountains of Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand, at an altitude of about 3,680 m. It is the highest of the five Panch Kedar temples of Shiva and is often described as one of the highest Shiva temples in the world. The temple is reached by a trek of about 5 km from Chopta, a meadow on the road between Ukhimath and Gopeshwar, and about 2 km further up lies the summit of Chandrashila, with sweeping views of the snow peaks of the Garhwal Himalaya. Because of heavy snow, the temple stays closed for about six months each winter.

According to legend, after the Kurukshetra war the Pandavas sought Shiva's forgiveness for killing their kin. Shiva avoided them and hid in the Garhwal hills in the form of a bull. When Bhima recognised and tried to catch him, the bull sank into the ground, and parts of its body reappeared at five places, which became the Panch Kedar: the hump at Kedarnath, the arms at Tungnath, the face at Rudranath, the navel at Madhyamaheshwar and the hair at Kalpeshwar. The Pandavas are believed to have built a temple at each site. Unusually, the priests here are local Maithani Brahmins of Makkumath village.

The temple is believed to be about a thousand years old and is built of stone in the North Indian Himalayan style, similar in appearance to Kedarnath and Madhyamaheshwar. It is a small, sturdy shrine with a tall stone tower, set on a bare ridge among alpine meadows, with smaller shrines around it. The trek from Chopta follows a paved path through rhododendron forest and open bugyal meadows. In winter, when the temple closes, the symbolic deity and the priests move down to the Markandeshwar temple at Makkumath, where worship continues until the temple reopens in spring.

Tungnath Temple timings & aarti

Open only in the summer season, roughly from late spring to autumn; it closes for about six months in winter. During the season, usually open from early morning to evening. Times may vary; check locally before visiting.

Timings change on festivals, eclipses and special days. Please confirm locally before you travel.

How to reach Tungnath Temple

Festivals at Tungnath Temple

• Opening of the temple doors for the seasonApr/May
• Maha Shivaratri (at the winter seat, Makkumath)Feb/Mar
• Closing of the temple doors for winterOct/Nov

Visitor tips

Dress code

Modest clothing; dress in warm layers, as it is cold at this height even in summer. Shoes are left outside the shrine.

Entry

Free.

• Check the official opening and closing dates for the season before planning the trip.
• Start the trek early; clouds often build up by afternoon and hide the peaks.
• Carry rain gear, warm clothing and water; there are only a few tea stalls along the trail.
• If you have energy left, continue about 2 km to Chandrashila summit for the panoramic view.

Places to visit near Tungnath Temple

• Chandrashila summitPeak with Himalayan views, about 2 km above the temple
• ChoptaMeadow base for the trek, about 5 km below
• Deoria TalLake with reflections of the Chaukhamba peaks, reachable from near Ukhimath
• Markandeshwar Temple, MakkumathWinter seat of Tungnath, about 29 km away

Frequently asked questions