Tungnath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is the world’s highest Shiva temple. It is situated at an altitude of 3680 meters above sea level, in the Garhwal mountain range of Uttarakhand. It is the third of Pancha Kedar Temples.
Tungnath Temple is situated in the lap of nature, in the epicenter of snow cladded mountains. From Mt Bandarpunch to Mt Tirshul to Mt Chaukhamba, every single peak of the majestic Himalayas will be a feast for your eyes. After trekking through the thick forest, one walks past the sweet smelling Buransh bushes, then one comes to open fields covered with a thick green blanket of grasses and rare herbs.
As you walk on the stone laded path, a cool breeze rich with purest form of oxygen keeps waving on the face, taking away the tiredness of the trek. Slowly one’s journey ascends and opens to the roaring snow cladded mountains, with no end to be seen. It seems that one is nearing the endless and infinite blue sky.
After taking up a short trek, when one arrives at this temple, one’s tiredness disappears, and the soul begins dancing to celebrate the natural beauty of the Himalayan mountains and the serenity Lord Shiva is seated in. A mere glance at the surroundings fills one’s heart with priceless peace.
The Origin of Tungnath Temple
After killing the Kauravas, Pandavas were affected with gotra-hatya dosha due to which Lord Shiva did not want to give them darshan. Finally, they found Lord Shiva at Kedarnath who had assumed the shape of a bull and roaming among the herd of cattle in Kedarnath.
When Pandavas discovered the identity of Lord Shiva and were about to catch him, Lord Shiva entered bhumi. At last, they could catch the hump of Lord Shiva who was disguised as a bull. The same hump took the form of shiva-linga in Kedarnath.
It is said that eventually, at four different locations four lingas emerged which represented four different parts of Lord Shiva’s body. Tungnath represented the hands of Lord Shiva. Tunga in sanskrit means hands. Tunga also means high or at a height.
The glories of Tungnath Mahadev
Tungnath is mentioned in the Skanda Purana by Lord Shiva who narrates its exalted glories to Mother Parvati. Skanda Purana mentions
tunganaatham shubhakshetre paapghnam sarvakaamadam
yad drshtva sarva paapebhyo vimukto labhate shivam
There is a very sacred tirtha named Tungnath capable of destroying one’s sins and fulfilling all desires. Just by darshan of this holy place, one gets freed from all the sins and attains Lord Shiva.
Lord Shiva further elaborates that anyone who worships Tungnath Linga will not have any difficulty in life. One who pours water on Tungnath linga, is worshipped in Shivaloka for the number of years equal to the drops of water which touched the linga. One who worships Tungnath linga with bilva patra, lives in Shivaloka for the duration of one kalpa.
One who offers akshata to Lord Shiva, lives in the shivaloka for those many thousands of years. One who offers flowers to Tungnath linga, lives in heaven for those many thousands of years. One who offers dipa and dhupa, will never have to see hell. One who offers bhoga with devotion, will not have to eat stale food for one thousand lives. One who offers charity after worshiping Lord Tungnath, will not be poverty stricken for one thousand lives.
One who worships Tungnath in the prescribed method of worship, lives in Shivaloka for the duration of crores of kalpas. One who lives body in Tungnath, for the number of days his bones or ashes remain in Tungnath Kshetra, that many thousands of years one will be worshiped and revered in Shivaloka.
The Chandrashila peak
Two kilometers beyond Tungnath Temple on the same Chandranath Parvata is the Chandrashila. This is one of the Pancha Shilas – Ravana Shila, Garuda Shila, Dharma Shila, Narada Shila and Chandra Shila. It is said that Lord Ramachandra meditated here and performed puja. Ravana is also said to have performed austerities at this location.
Chandrashila Peak is the mountain viewpoint currently. From here all the major peaks of the Garhwal mountain range are visible. The view is so mesmerizing that one doesn’t feel like returning from this place. The sunrise is something which shall stun you forever.
Near the temple is Akasha Ganga Tirtha which finds mentions in Skanda Purana as an auspicious place for offering tarpana to one’s forefathers.
The Tungnath Temple
Tungnath temple is believed to be at least 1000 years old. It was originally established by the Pandavas and reestablished or renovated by Adi Shankaracharya, who began the tradition of worship by the brahmins of Makku village.
Tungnath Temple is constructed in the Nagara Style. It has a mantapa and Garbha-griha. Inside the Garbha-griha is the Swayambhu shiva-linga of Tungnath Mahadev. Beside it, one can have darshan of silver murtis of Pancha Kedars. Outside the temple is a small temple dedicated to Mother Parvati, Kala Bhairava and other Deities of devatas.
Temple Timings of Tungnath Temple
Just like any other Shivalaya, Tungnath temple is open for darshan from 5 am onwards to 1 pm. Then from 3 pm onwards to 8 pm.
The best time to visit Tungnath temple is May to June and October to November. The temple closes during Dipawali festival.
The utsava murthy of Tungnath is brought to Makku Mutt and worshipped there during the winter season.
How to reach Tungnath Temple
Tungnath is in the Rudraprayag District of Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. The nearest settlement is Guptkashi. The best way to reach Tungnath temple is to get your yatra organized through Tirtha Yatra. If you want to explore this on your own, you may try the below mentioned ways:
By Air – The nearest airport is Dehradun Airport. From Dehradun Airport, you may hire private taxis to Tungnath which will be much easier. You may also take up the state road transport.
By Rail – The nearest Railway Station is Haridwar Railway Station. From Haridwar, take a private taxi to Tungnath or take up the state road transport.
By Road – To reach Tungnath, you need to reach Chopta. State Transport Buses are available from Rishikesh and Haridwar to Guptkashi. From Guptkashi, you can take private taxi or hire autos to reach Chopta.
From Chopta, one must trek 3 kms to reach Tungnath. There are alternative options of doli and pony available. The trek is suggested by walk.
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