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Tungnath

Tungnath - Shiva Temple at Hightest Altitude

Tungnath peacefully adorned on the Chandranath Parvat is the highest Shiva temple in the world and the highest Panch Kedar temple of Uttarakhand

It is the third (Tritiya Kedar) in the pecking order of the Panch Kedars. Tungnath is perched at an elevation of 3, 680 metres above sea level and is considered to be more than 1,000 years old.

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Tungnath Tour Packages

Chopta 2 Nights Trekking Tour with Tungnath Chandrashila
3 Days / 2 Nights
₹. 4,500.00    ₹ 3,500.00
Chopta 2 Nights Budget Package with Devariyatal
3 Days / 2 Nights
₹. 4,500.00    ₹ 3,200.00
Chopta - Chandrashila Trekking Expedition
4 Days / 3 Nights
₹. 5,900.00
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Tungnath Temple Trek

This highest temple of Lord Shiva is an ironically easiest one to achieve. Tungnath Temple can be reached by a moderately easy trek of 3.5km commencing from Chopta (2700mts). The region receives heavy snowfall during winters making Tungnath temple tough to access. The altitude of Tungnath Temple is approx 3600 mts. 

Tungnath trek is well laid and doesn't necessarily require a guide except during peak winters when the area is covered with snow.


Tungnath Temple

Why Visit Tungnath Temple?

Magnificent in its architecture and artistic structure, Tungnath Temple is considered to be more than 1000 years old. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and few other idols of Goddess Parvati and other gods can be seen in the vicinity. This sacred temple was discovered by Adi Shankaracharya and now the priest of this temple is a local Brahmins of Makku village.

The symbolic image of Lord Shiva is moved to Mukunath during winters, situated 19kms away. The trek goes through rocky terrains, green meadows and rhododendron bushes showering us with visual vistas of nature. The invigorating views of the imposing Himalayas boosts with confidence in the heart of the trekkers. Several named and unnamed peaks of the Himalayan range are distinctly visible from Tungnath.

Tungnath Temple 2023 Opening and Closing Dates

The kapat of Tungnath temple were thrown open for the pilgrims on 26 April 2023. .Hundreds of pilgrim attended the opening ceremony of Tungnath Temple. The kapat of Kedarnath Temple were also opened today.

The doli of Shri Tungnath ji start its journey from Mukkumath on 25 April & reached Tungnath temple via Chopta and Duggalbitta.

Closing Date of Tungnath Temple 2023: Tungnath temple was closed for winters on 1 Nov 2023. Closing date of Tungnath temple is announced on the occasion of Dussehra. Last year Tungnath Temple was closed on 7 November 2022. However, the trek to Tungnath and Chandrashila will be open in winters.


Closing date of Tungnath Dham is announced on the day of Vaijayadashmi/ Dusshera. In the winters the deity of Tungnath remains at its winter seat at Makkumath Temple.

Tungnath Travel News

20 Feb 2024
Uttarakhand Snowfall Update 20 Feb 2024

Snowfall was reported on Monday in regions such as Kedarnath Dham, including Madmaheshwar, Tungnath, Chandrashila, etc. Additionally, light snowfall was observed in tourist spots like Chopta, Dugalbitta and in Deoriatal. 

The phenomenon extended to Gangotri and Yamunotri Dham, Harshil Valley, and other high-altitude areas of Uttarkashi. Despite the snowfall, road movements remained unaffected at present.

27 Oct 2023
Badrinath, Kedarnath temples will close at 4 pm on October 28 due to lunar eclipse

All temples governed by the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, including the Badrinath and Kedarnath shrines, will observe closure at 4 pm on Saturday due to the lunar eclipse.

The Badrinath and Kedarnath temples are scheduled to reopen during the brahma muhurta after the morning purification puja on Sunday.

Other affiliated shrines affected by the closure include the Shri Narasingh Temple in Joshimath, Second Kedar Madmaheshwar, Third Kedar Tungnath, Shri Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, and Yoga Badri.

Activities in Tungnath

Trekking – The trek route to Tungnath commences at Chopta and involves easy to medium grade trekking. The enthralling treks take some through enchanting meadows, hushed hamlets, and conifers and oak forests. In winter, the trekking route is covered in snow. You can continue the trek to Chandrashila Summit as well.

Pilgrimage – Perched at a height of 3,600 meters, Tungnath shrine is one of the revered Panch Kedar dedicated to Lord Shiva in Uttarakhand and large number of pilgrims visits the shrine. The shrine sleeps under a thick blanket of snow during winters. 

Bird Watching – You can see Monal and other birds easily around Tungnath. If lucky you can also spot musk deers in the region.     

Tungnath Travel Tips

  • If one is trekking to Tungnath, make sure you are physically fit. The trek route is relatively easily but running, cycling and swimming can all help improve cardiovascular stamina.
  • One can also find mules and porters for hire, especially during the peak season. 
  • Travelling in monsoons should be avoided as the hilly region in Uttarakhand has its fair share of incessant rainfall. Moreover, the region is prone to unexpected landslides and road blocks.
  • Being situated at a remote location, facilities like ATMs, petrol pumps are not available at Tungnath, not even at Chopta. One has to go all the way to Gopeshwar or Ukhimath to find these facilities.

Staying in Tungnath

Lately, some budget accommodations/lodges have opened up at Tungnath for tourists and pilgrims. These properties are mainly operated by local priests with limited amenities and services. They can be booked on arrival. 

Most of the tourists prefer staying at Chopta or Duggalbitta which has a handful of accommodation and Swiss Tent Camps. We recommend you to stay at Mayadeep Hotel in Chopta.

Tungnath Food Guide

Tungnath have two-three basic eateries which offers maggie, tea, dal, rice, seasonal vegetable to the trekkers and pilgrims. Non-vegetarian food and alcohol is strictly prohibited at Tungnath. 

Mythology about Tungnath

The mythological background of Tungnath Temple is associated with the epic Mahabharata. Vyas Rishi told the Pandavas that they were guilty of killing their own brothers in the war and their sins would be expiated only if Lord Shiva pardoned them. Pandavas began to search Lord Shiva in the Himalayas and Lord Shiva kept avoiding them because they were guilty.

In order to escape from the Pandavas, Lord Shiva disguised himself as a bull and took refuge underground. The places where the parts of the bull were found are now renowned Shiva temples. Tungnath Temple is the place where his hands (bahu) were supposedly seen.

Another 1.5 km steep trek take you to Chandrashila summit which offers a majestic view of snow clad Himalayan peaks including Trishul, Nanda Devi, Chaukhamba. To know about how to reach Tungnath, refer to Chopta driving directions. Tungnath is a 3km mild trek which begins from Chopta

Latest 2023 News & Updates from Tungnath

24 October 2023: Tungnath Temple will be closed on 1 November 2023.
14 April 2022: Tungnath Temple will be open for pilgrims on 3 May 2022.
14 April 2021: Tungnath Temple will be open for pilgrims on 17 May 2021.
30 October 2020: Tritiya Kedar Tungnath to be preserved as National Heritage.

Tungnath Photo Gallery

Tungnath temple was closed for winter today. The
Tungnath Temple
Trekkers near Raavan Shila in Tungnath
Another beautiful photo during trek
Tungnath Temple (Tritiya Kedar), view after heavy snowfall (April Month)
Side photo of temple
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Tungnath Weather

Check out the Tungnath weather report for March

Tungnath Weather in March

The minimun and maximum temperature in March in Tungnath is -4°C and 10°C respectively. The weather is generally covered with snow in March and you would feel chilling cold throughout the day. Heavy Woolen clothes are recommended for Tungnath in March.

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