shaiva · Uttarakhand

Tungnath

तुङ्गनाथ

Presiding deity: Lord Shiva (arms-form per Panch Kedar legend)

Established: Pre-Mahabharata Shiva swayambhu lingam; current temple ~8th century (Adi Shankaracharya tradition)

Darshan timings

06:00–19:00 IST (varies by season; check local notice)

Average wait

15 mins–1 hour

Best season

May–June and September–November (closed mid-Nov to mid-April)

Daily visitors

500–2,500 in season (peak: long weekends + Shivratri)

Significance

Highest Shiva temple in the world (3,680m). Third of Panch Kedar — Shiva's arms (bahu) emerged here per the Mahabharata legend.

Legend

After Kurukshetra war, Pandavas sought Shiva's pardon for fratricide. Shiva fled into a buffalo form across Garhwal; his body parts emerged at 5 sites — arms at Tungnath. Pandavas built the temple here.

How to reach

Chopta (motorable end) → 3.5 km trek to Tungnath temple → optional 1.5 km more to Chandrashila peak (4,000m). 240 km drive from Rishikesh via Ukhimath.

Nearest airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (265 km)

Nearest railway: Rishikesh (240 km)

Where to stay

Chopta tents and basic GMVN lodge; budget homestays at Sari/Mastura villages. Cold nights — sleeping bag recommended.

Primary pujas performed here

Tungnath Rudrabhishek
Maharudra Path
Bhasma aarti (limited)

What to offer: Bel patra, dhatura, white flowers, ghee for jyot

Dress code

Warm modest clothing; trek shoes mandatory. Remove footwear at temple steps.

Photo policy

Permitted around temple; not inside sanctum

Modern access

Annual pilgrim + trekker count 50,000+. Chandrashila summit (4,000m) gives 360° Himalayan view — Nanda Devi to Bandarpunch. Quick 5-hour trek round-trip from Chopta.

Nearby tirthas

Madhyamaheshwar (45 km)
Rudranath (long trek)
Kedarnath (90 km)
Deoria Tal (10 km)
Ukhimath