Tungnath is one of the highest shiva temples in the world and is the highest of the five panch kedar temples located in the Rudraprayag district, in the Indian state of Uttarakhand.
It was 31st December 2021, when my friend was visited to my hometown for a short trip and we were exploring some places which we could cover in 3-4 days. After brainstorming many places we finally decided for a trip to Tungnath. So on 1st of January, in the morning, we took a train and headed over to Rishikesh. By night itself we reached Rishikesh and stayed there overnight. When we had landed to Rishikesh we were actually not sure of the public transport whether a direct bus is available or some sharing options are available for the same or not, as it was off season during that time. But finally we confirmed from some locals that we can catch a bus in the morning around 5 or 6 A.M.
So finally, we on boarded to a bus in the morning at around 6 A.M., but there were no direct options available for the same. So we on boarded to bus till Rudraprayag. Then, in the afternoon, we reached Rudraprayag and from Rudraprayag we got a bus which was heading to Guptkashi/Ukhimath. About an hour later, we reached Ukhimath and from Ukhimath there was some sharing cabs which were heading to Chopta. So we on boarded onto the same which took an hour to reached Chopta. Finally, we reached the place where people have to stay overnight and this is the origin of the Tungnath trek. So, we stayed there overnight and there are couple of homestays available and also there are options for sharing beds also.
Next day, early morning when we waked up it was freezing temperature outside and overnight it had snowed a bit also. There was snow all around our homestay. Finally, after having light breakfast we started our trek to the Tungnath temple. This is around a 3 Kms trek to the temple and it takes around an hour or less to reached there. In our way, we found lush green trees which were loaded with a blanket of little snow and the trek is beautiful and one can enjoy the beautiful scenes all around through the trek which will be really pleasing to the soul. Since this trek receives snowfall at a regular interval, in our case we found a trek a bit slippery as there was black ice due to which we slipped a little bit at many places. But overall the trek was really beautiful with great scenic views all around the trek. One can enjoy the beautiful scenes of snow capped peaks which can be viewed throughout the journey.
So finally, an hour’s trek we reached the temple. But as visited in the month of January it was closed for the devotees then and it reopens in the month of May and it closes in the month of October/November. But still one can sit there and have a view of the snow capped peaks from the temple itself. We then headed towards Chandrashila peak which is around 900m from the temple. After reaching the same one can enjoy a 360 view of various Himalayan peaks which are rarely majestic and heavenly, pleasing to the soul.
As we conclude our journey to Tungnath, the world’s highest shiva temple, we were left with an indelible impression of its spiritual and natural grandeur. The serene ambiance of the temple, and the profound sense of tranquility found at such heights are experiences that words can scarcely capture.
