History, Importance, Natural Environment and Travel Guide of Tungnath Temple near Kedarnath, Uttarakhanda
Tungnath temple is the highest Lord Shiva Temple in the world located at height of 3680 mtrs in the Rudraprayag district of the Indian state Uttarakhand. Tungnath temple is located at the top of the ridge dividing the water of the River Mandakini (arising from Kedarnath) and the River Alaknanda (raising above Badrinath). This temple is one of the Panch Kedar Temples which are covered by Pilgrims during their Chota Char Dham Yatra of Uttarakhand, India.
This Temple holds a very fascinating story related to Pandavas. As Pandavas were in search of Lord Shiva after the Kurukshetra war to pardon their Brahmahatya, but Lord Shiva was avoiding Pandavas and Lord Shiva took the form of Bull (Nandi) and got hidden himself underground in Guptkashi. However Pandavas succeeded in finding Lord Shiva and apologizing to him for the war. Lord Shiva’s body the Nandi was rematerialized at five different place that today represent the PANCH KEDAR. To worship those places the Pandavas made the temples on those places to venerate Lord Shiva. Each temple is identified with a part of Nandi. Tungnath is identified as the place where hands were seen (Bahu) so it’s the highest temple among them. Hump was seen at Kedarnath, Head appeared at Rudranath, his navel and stomach at Madhyamaheshwar and his jata (hair) at Kalpeshwar.
Tungnath has the shortest trek among the five Kedars. The trekking route starts from Chopta. The distance between the Chopta and the temple is only 5kms which can be covered within couple of hours. Usually pilgrims cover the five Panch Kedars during their Yatra starting from Rishikesh in the order of Kedarnath, Tungnath, Rudranath, Madhyamaheshwar and Kalpeshwar. It has a very beautiful trek covering with lush of greenery and the side benches after few meters to make you comfortable.
How to reach – You can opt for private or state buses. You have to cover a distance of 450kms from Delhi to Chopta and after that by trekking to reach Temple. The nearest Railway Station is in Haridwar which is approximately 225kms far and the nearest air connectivity is at a distance of 260km (Jolly Grant Airport). Taxies are available from Airport or by Railway Station
