🕉️ Tungnath Trek: A Journey to the Highest Shiva Temple in the World
Located in the serene Garhwal Himalayas, Tungnath stands as the highest Shiva temple in the world at an elevation of 3,680 meters (12,073 feet). Tungnath, in the Rudraprayag district,This trek, though short in distance, is packed with scenic beauty, mythological significance, and spiritual energy that resonates deeply with every traveler. Whether you’re a trekking enthusiast, a pilgrim, or a seeker of solitude, the Tungnath-Chandrashila trek is a must-experience journey. Adi Shankaracharya discovered the temple and now the local Brahmin priests of the Makku Village are priests here.During winters, the image of Shiva is shifted 19 kms away to Mukunath.
📍 Overview of Tungnath
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Region: Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand, India
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Altitude: Tungnath – 3,680 m | Chandrashila – ~4,000 m
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Trek Distance: 3.5 km (Chopta to Tungnath) + 1.5 km (to Chandrashila)
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Trek Duration: 4–6 hours round trip
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Best Time to Visit: April–June and September–November
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Trek Grade: Easy to Moderate
🌄 Why Tungnath is Special
Tungnath is one of the Panch Kedar temples — the five holy shrines of Lord Shiva in Uttarakhand. As per Hindu mythology, the Pandavas built this temple to seek penance from Lord Shiva after the Kurukshetra war. It is believed that Lord Shiva, avoiding the Pandavas, disguised himself as a bull and fled. Parts of his body appeared in different places, and his arms are said to have emerged at Tungnath (Source: Uttarakhand Tourism).You can see great Himalayan birds during the trail to Tungnath and Chandrashilla, especially Monal which is the National Bird of Nepal. nature beauty is very good.
🧭 How to Reach Chopta (Base Point)
To begin the Tungnath trek, you first need to reach Chopta, which serves as the base point. It’s a quaint hamlet located in the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary.
Basic idea of the costs from Delhi (per person) : Janrath AC tickets from Delhi to Haridwar & back – Rs. 800/-. GMOU Bus from Haridwar to Ukhimath & back – Rs. 600/-. Shared taxis Ukhimath to Sari/Chopta and back – Rs. 200/-. Stay at Sari/Chopta/Tungnath/Ukhimath – Rs. 250 per person per day. Food : 300 Rupees per person per day.
So for a 3 day trip, the expenses can be roughly worked out to around 2500-3500 Rupees per person.
🔁 Route Options:
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By Road:
From Rishikesh → Rudraprayag → Ukhimath → Chopta (~200 km from Rishikesh) then tungnath -
By Train:
Nearest station – Haridwar (225 km) or Rishikesh -
By Air:
Nearest airport – Jolly Grant, Dehradun (220 km), with taxis available for hire
Travel Tip: Roads beyond Ukhimath are narrow, so drive carefully or hire a local driver.
🛏️ Accommodation Options
📌 Where to Stay:
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Chopta: Small guesthouses, wooden cabins, and tented camps (seasonal)
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Dugalbitta/Baniyakund: Quieter alternatives 10–15 km before Chopta
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Ukhimath: More established stay options, especially during off-season
During peak seasons, it is advisable to pre-book your stay as accommodation is limited.
🥾 The Trek Experience
The trek begins from Chopta, with the trail meandering through lush rhododendron and deodar forests. The path is stone-paved and moderately steep, making it suitable even for first-time trekkers with average fitness.
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Trek Start Point: Chopta market area
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Tungnath Distance: ~3.5 km
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Tungnath to Chandrashila: ~1.5 km (steeper and rockier)
As you ascend, you get panoramic views of snow-capped Himalayan peaks like Chaukhamba, Trishul, Nanda Devi, and Bandarpoonch.
According to an article on Trekking in India, the Tungnath-Chandrashila trail is one of the most scenic short treks in North India, particularly famous for sunrise views from Chandrashila.
🕉️ Tungnath Temple – A Sacred Wonder
Tungnath is believed to be over 1,000 years old and is built in the Nagara style of architecture. It is considered the third Kedar among the Panch Kedar.
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Dedicated to: Lord Shiva
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Opens: Late April or early May (depending on the weather)
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Closes: Around Diwali (mid/late October)
Even if you’re not religious, the temple’s energy and the surrounding silence make it a deeply moving experience.
(Source: Panch Kedar History – Char Dham Yatra)
🏔️ Chandrashila Summit – Peak of Peace
Chandrashila, meaning “Moon Rock,” is a 1.5 km ascent from Tungnath and sits at an altitude of approximately 4,000 meters.
Why Visit Chandrashila?
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360-degree Himalayan view – Trishul, Nanda Devi, Kedarnath, Chaukhamba
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Sunrise Spot: One of the best sunrise points in India
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Spiritual Significance: Believed to be the spot where Lord Rama meditated after killing Ravana
The views from the summit are absolutely surreal — especially when the sky bursts into golden hues at sunrise.
Chandrashila Top at 4000m is bound to be cold at that hour. Needless to say, sure footedness is advised, even more so when its dark.
🧳 Packing Essentials for the Trek
If you plan your trek between April to November, the trail is mostly clear. In winter, the trail is covered in snow, and Tungnath temple remains closed.
✅ Essentials:
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Warm layers (even in summer)
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Rain jacket or poncho (for monsoons)
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Trekking shoes with strong grip
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Water bottle (thermos in winter)
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Flashlight/headlamp
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Energy bars, dry fruits, glucose
✅ For Winter Trekkers:
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Gaiters and spikes (for snow trekking)
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Thermal inners, woolen gloves, beanie
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Snow boots or crampons recommended
📶 Connectivity and Facilities
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Mobile Network: Spotty coverage; BSNL and Vi work best in patches
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ATMs: Last reliable ATM at Ukhimath – carry sufficient cash
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Food: Tea stalls available on trek route (seasonal); common snacks include Maggi, chai, parathas
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Washrooms: Basic and limited; better in guesthouses
❄️ Tungnath in Winter – A Frozen Fairyland
Between December and March, Chopta and the trek route transform into a snow wonderland. Though the temple is closed, you can still trek up to Chandrashila with proper gear.
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Snowfall makes the trail magical but more challenging
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Local guides and porters are recommended
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Tungnath trek becomes a popular snow trek during this time
(Source: Indiahikes – Tungnath Chandrashila Trek)
🔐 Safety Tips and Responsible Trekking
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Start early – especially important for winter treks
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Respect the silence of the shrine and fellow trekkers
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Avoid plastic – carry your own bottle and dispose of waste responsibly
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Altitude sickness is rare but stay hydrated and rest if needed
📸 Must-Capture Moments
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Temple amidst snow (Dec–Feb)
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Sunrise from Chandrashila (April–Nov)
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Rhododendron bloom (March–May)
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Forest walk in Chopta
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Clear skies with stargazing at night
Use a wide-angle lens or a GoPro to capture the vast Himalayan landscape in its full glory.
🗓️ Sample Itinerary (2 Days)
🏕️ Day 1: Arrival at Chopta
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Drive from Rishikesh/Haridwar (7–8 hrs)
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Acclimatization walk around meadows
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Overnight stay in Chopta
🥾 Day 2: Trek to Tungnath & Chandrashila
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Start early (around 5:30–6 AM)
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Reach Tungnath by 8 AM, visit the temple
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Continue to Chandrashila (1 hour uphill)
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Return to Chopta by noon or 2 PM
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Depart or stay overnight
🌟 Final Thoughts – Why Tungnath is Worth the Journey
Tungnath offers an unforgettable mix of devotion, adventure, and nature. It’s a place where the sacred meets the sublime, where each step feels like a prayer and each breath carries the crisp, holy air of the Himalayas.
Whether you’re there to chase sunrises, seek blessings, or reconnect with yourself, the Tungnath trek leaves a mark on your soul that calls you back, again and again.
