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Tungnath

Highest Shiva Temple in the World & Tritiya Kedar

🏔 3,680m Altitude 📍 Rudraprayag District 🗓 3.5 km Chopta Trek 🌄 Garhwal Region
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Overview

Discovering Tungnath

3,680m
Highest Temple
3.5 km
Chopta Trek
360°
Himalayan Vista

Why Visit Tungnath?

🛕 Highest Shiva Temple on Earth at 3,680m Altitude
🏔️ 360° Panorama of Nanda Devi, Trishul & Chaukhamba
🥾 Scenic 3.5 km Paved Meadow Trail from Chopta
🌄 Breathtaking Summit Sunrise from Chandrashila Peak (4,000m)
🌸 Blooming Rhododendron & Golden Bugyals in Spring
❄️ Magical Winter Snow Trekking Landscape
Plan Your Pilgrimage

Best Time to Visit Tungnath

⭐

Best months: March–June & September–November. Spring brings pleasant sunshine, blooming valleys, and clear Himalayan views; autumn offers crisp skies and golden sunsets after the rains. Winter is ideal for snow lovers and quiet mountain retreats.

☀️
Summer
March – June
8°C to 18°C (Pleasant trekking weather, clear blue skies)

Ideal for sightseeing, pilgrimage walks, and exploring forest paths with pleasant daytime sunshine and refreshing mountain air.

🌧️
Monsoon
July – August
10°C to 16°C (Lush green bugyals, passing cloud mists)

Transforming the hillsides into lush emerald landscapes with cascading mountain streams, blooming wild flora, and misty valley vistas.

❄️
Winter
September – February
-10°C to 5°C (Heavy snowfall; temple is closed, snow trekking at Chopta)

Crystal clear panoramic views of snow-capped Himalayan peaks, golden post-monsoon sunsets, and peaceful alpine ambience.

Must-See Places

Top Attractions in Tungnath

Tungnath Temple Highest Shiva Temple 01
Tungnath Temple
Over 1,000-year-old stone temple built in the classical North Indian Nagara style, housing the sacred stone emblem representing the arms (bahu) of Lord Shiva.
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Chandrashila Summit (4,000m) Himalayan Viewpoint 02
Chandrashila Summit (4,000m)
The "Moon Rock" summit located 1.5 km above Tungnath where Lord Rama meditated after defeating Ravana. Offers one of the finest 360-degree mountain panoramas in the world.
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Ravana Shila Rock Mythological Spot 03
Ravana Shila Rock
Large stone rock near Tungnath where the demon king Ravana is believed to have performed severe penance to propitiate Lord Shiva.
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Chopta Alpine Bugyal Mini Switzerland of India 04
Chopta Alpine Bugyal
Verdant high-altitude clearing (2,680m) surrounded by dense forests of oak and pine, serving as the official base camp for the Tungnath trek.
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Deoria Tal Lake Reflective Alpine Lake 05
Deoria Tal Lake
Sacred lake nestled amidst lush green forests 20 km away, famed for reflecting the majestic Chaukhamba peaks on its mirror-like waters.
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Experiences

Things to Do in Tungnath

Trek the Stone Path to Tungnath
01

Trek the Stone Path to Tungnath

Hike the scenic 3.5 km stone-paved trail from Chopta through blooming rhododendron canopies to the high stone temple.

Watch Sunrise at Chandrashila Summit
02

Watch Sunrise at Chandrashila Summit

Start trekking at 4:00 AM from Chopta to reach Chandrashila summit (4,000m) in time to watch the sun ignite the snow peaks.

Offer Prayers at Tritiya Kedar
03

Offer Prayers at Tritiya Kedar

Participate in the sacred morning puja and circumambulate the ancient stone shrines of Lord Shiva and Parvati.

Camp Under Starry Skies at Chopta
04

Camp Under Starry Skies at Chopta

Stay in cozy eco-camps or wooden cottages at Chopta enjoying crystal-clear night skies and Milky Way views.

Weather & Location

Tungnath Climate & Map

Tungnath Weather

Rudraprayag · 3,680m
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Seasonal Weather Summary
🌸
May
18–26°
☀️
Jun
20–30°
🌧️
Aug
18–24°
🍂
Oct
12–22°
🍁
Nov
8–18°
❄️
Jan
2–12°

📍 Tungnath on the Map

Open in Maps ↗
30.4880° N, 79.2170° E
Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand
~3,680m elevation
Getting There

How to Reach Tungnath

🚂

By Train

Rishikesh Railway Station (~200 km). Daily buses connect to Ukhimath and Gopeshwar.

🚌

By Bus

Chopta is located on the Kund-Gopeshwar highway. Motor vehicles reach Chopta base, from where the 3.5 km walking trek begins.

🚗

By Road (Self Drive)

Well linked by National Highways with regular taxi services, shared cabs, and smooth scenic road transit.

✈️

By Air

Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (~220 km). Taxis available via Rishikesh and Rudraprayag.

Distance from Major Cities

Delhi 380 km · 9 hrs
Dehradun 210 km · 6 hrs
Rishikesh 165 km · 5 hrs
Haridwar 185 km · 5.5 hrs
Showing 4 places near Tungnath
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Practical Info

Travel Tips for Tungnath

01

Best Time to Visit: The trek from Chopta to Tungnath is 3.5 km and takes approximately 2 to 2.5 hours at a comfortable pace.

02

Altitude & Acclimatization: Ponies and palanquins (doli) are available at Chopta for elderly travelers and children.

03

Local Transport: Carry windcheaters and thermal layers as high-altitude winds at Tungnath and Chandrashila are biting cold.

04

Mobile Connectivity: Start early in the morning to enjoy clear views before afternoon clouds roll in across the peaks.

05

What to Pack: Carry sturdy hiking footwear, warm layered woolens, sunscreen, windproof jackets, and basic personal medications.

06

Eco & Cultural Respect: Follow Leave No Trace ethics, respect temple traditions and customs, and avoid using single-use plastic bottles.

FAQ & Travel Info

Tungnath Travel — Frequently Asked Questions

Essential planning tips, weather details, local highlights, and trip advice for exploring Tungnath.

Tungnath Temple is situated at an elevation of 3,680 meters (12,073 feet), making it the highest Shiva temple in the world.
The trek from Chopta to Tungnath is 3.5 km on a well-maintained stone-paved path with an easy-to-moderate incline, suitable for beginners and families.
Tungnath is the Tritiya (Third) Kedar among the sacred Panch Kedar temples, where Lord Shiva's arms (bahu) are worshipped.
Tungnath Temple opens around May (Akshaya Tritiya) and closes in November (around Diwali/Bhai Dooj) when the idol is moved to Makkumath for winter.
Chandrashila Peak (4,000m) offers a mesmerizing 360-degree panorama of the Greater Himalayas including Nanda Devi, Trishul, Chaukhamba, Kedarnath, and Kalanag.
Final Word

Plan Your Tungnath Journey

From ancient heritage shrines and whispering cedar forests to dramatic snowpeak horizons and warm mountain hospitality, Tungnath offers an indelible Himalayan escape into the tranquil soul of Devbhumi Uttarakhand. Pack light, journey mindfully, and let the mountain serenity restore your spirit.

Start Planning Your Trip  →
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