Tungnath Temple
The highest Shiva temple in the world, centerpiece of the Panch Kedar circuit.
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Tungnath
Uttarakhand, India· Last updated
- Best time
- May–June, September–November; closed in deep winter when the deity is moved to Mukumath.
- Getting there
- Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun, approx. 210–220 km.
- Stays
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Nearest Airport
Tungnath sits at 3,680 meters in Rudraprayag district, the highest of the five Panch Kedar temples and, by most accounts, the highest Shiva temple in the world — a distinction that gives it genuine pilgrimage weight beyond its role as the reward at the end of the popular Chopta trek. Believed to date back over a thousand years, the temple's stone architecture and high-altitude setting have made it a significant stop on the Panch Kedar circuit, undertaken by devotees who believe visiting all five temples honors different parts of Shiva's form after he took refuge as a bull to avoid the Pandavas. Tungnath suits both serious pilgrims completing the Panch Kedar circuit and casual trekkers using Chopta as a base — the climb itself, a well-maintained stone path through rhododendron and alpine meadow, is manageable for most reasonably fit visitors in 2-3 hours, and the temple's setting rewards visitors regardless of religious motivation with genuinely dramatic Himalayan views extending toward the Chaukhamba massif.
Nearby highlights
Chandrashila Peak
A further 1.5 km climb beyond the temple, with 360-degree views.
Chopta
The base village and starting point for the climb.
Deoriatal
A nearby lake, reachable as a separate short trek.
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How to reach Tungnath
Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun, approx. 210–220 km. Nearest Railway Station: Rishikesh, approx. 190–200 km. By Road & Foot: From Chopta, trek approximately 3.5 km on a stone path to reach the temple, taking 2-3 hours.
Best time to visit
May–June, September–November; closed in deep winter when the deity is moved to Mukumath.
Where it is
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