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Tungnath Temple
Shiva · Highest Shiva Temple · Uttarakhand
॥ ॐ नमः शिवाय ॥
Tungnath is the highest Shiva temple in the world, the third shrine of the Panch Kedar, perched near 3,680 metres on a ridge in the Garhwal Himalaya. Here the arms of Shiva, surfacing from the legend of the divine bull, are given worship in a compact stone sanctum. A short, much-loved trek climbs from Chopta to the temple, with the Chandrashila summit waiting just beyond for those who keep walking.
The arms of Shiva at the rooftop shrine
In the Panch Kedar account, the arms (bahu) of Shiva appeared at Tungnath when the god, fleeing as a bull, scattered his form across the mountains. The temple enshrines these arms, and tradition also links its founding to the Pandavas, with later devotion to Rama who is said to have meditated on the peak above.
Though small, the temple is among the most striking of the five for its sheer altitude. Its stone walls and modest tower sit on an open ridge, ringed by the snow lines of Kedarnath, Chaukhamba and Nanda Devi, a setting that makes the climb feel like an approach to the roof of the range.
The trek from Chopta
The walk to Tungnath starts at Chopta, a meadow hamlet on the Gopeshwar–Ukhimath road often called the mini-Switzerland of Garhwal. The paved path rises about three kilometres through rhododendron and grassland, gaining height steadily but reachable by most fit walkers in two to three hours.
A further short, steeper climb leads to Chandrashila, the moon-rock summit at around 4,000 metres, prized for a sweeping dawn panorama of the central Himalaya. Many pilgrims combine temple and summit in a single day.
Seasons and the winter shrine at Makkumath
Tungnath opens for the warmer half of the year, generally from late April or May until the first heavy snows of autumn. Through the closed winter months the deity is worshipped at Makkumath, the village that holds the shrine’s winter seat.
Snow can blanket the ridge well into spring, and the same path that is an easy meadow walk in summer becomes an icy ascent in shoulder season. Opening and closing dates are announced each year according to the Hindu calendar.
How to reach Tungnath Temple
- By road: Drive to Chopta via Gopeshwar or Ukhimath, both connected to Rishikesh through Rudraprayag; the temple trek begins at the Chopta roadhead.
- By train: Rishikesh and Haridwar are the nearest railheads, linked to Delhi, with onward taxis and shared jeeps to Chopta.
- By air: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun, is the closest airport, followed by a road journey to Chopta and the short climb to the shrine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Tungnath called the highest Shiva temple?
At about 3,680 metres in the Garhwal Himalaya, Tungnath is generally recognised as the highest temple dedicated to Shiva anywhere in the world.
Which limb of Shiva is worshipped here?
The arms (bahu) of Shiva are worshipped at Tungnath, following the Panch Kedar legend of the god dispersing his form as a bull.
How long is the trek to the temple?
It is roughly three kilometres from Chopta, climbing through rhododendron and meadow, and most fit walkers reach the shrine in two to three hours.
What is Chandrashila?
Chandrashila is the summit just above the temple at around 4,000 metres, famed for its dawn views of the central Himalayan peaks; many pilgrims continue there after the shrine.
Where is the winter worship held?
When Tungnath closes for winter, the deity is worshipped at Makkumath village until the high temple reopens in spring.
Which place is Tungnath in the Panch Kedar?
Tungnath is the third of the five Panch Kedar shrines, after Kedarnath and Madhyamaheshwar.
॥ हर हर महादेव ॥ • Bhaktiras.net Temple Guide
| Panch Kedar position | Third |
| Body part worshipped | Arms |
| Altitude | About 3,680 m |
| Distinction | Highest Shiva temple |
| Trek start | Chopta |
| Winter seat | Makkumath |