Tungnath Trek Guide: A Uttarakhand Trek To The Abode Of Lord Shiva

One of the best trekking places in India, the Tungnath trek is more than exploring the Himalayas. The trek route leading to the abode of Lord Shiva is about understanding the magic of nature, soaking in religious fervor, and attempting to reach self-actualization. 

The highest Shiva Temple in the world, Tungnath in Chopta, is among the Panch Kedars. Panch Kedars have great significance in Hindu religion and mythology. 

The Mahabharata says that Pandavas built these temples in five different places across the country to atone for the bloodshed of Kurukshetra. 

Further, Panch Kedars are the places where Lord Shiva appeared to the Pandavas in different disguises, and these temples are where different parts of the Hindu God are worshipped.

Moreover, the Tungnath Temple is dedicated to the arm of Lord Shiva. So, it is very meaningful as a popular destination for spiritual tourism in the country. If you, too, are eager to connect to the higher energy and the Tungnath trek is on your mind, this guide will be helpful. 

Where Is The Tungnath Trek? What Is The Tungnath Trek Distance?

• Altitude: 3,680 Meters
• Best Time for Tungnath Trek: April to June and September to October
• Difficulty Level: Moderate, Beginner-Friendly
• 2024 Opening Date: 14 May 2024
• 2024 Closing Date: 4th November, 2024, 11 pm*
• Average Cost of Tungnath Trek: INR 7500 – 15000 Per Person

Tungnath Trek is located in Chopta, a popular hill station often called the “Mini Switzerland of India.” Chopta is in the Rudraprayag District of Uttarakhand. 

Chopta, the base for the Tungnath Trek, is also at the epicenter of the trek to the Chandrashila Peak. In fact, most tourists on Tungnath Trek extend their routes a little to visit the Chandrashila Peak, and on the way, they also touch the Deoriatal Lake. 

So, in the next section, I will share a detailed itinerary of the trek to Tungnath and Chandrashila Peak via Deorital. 

⁕⁕After the temple is closed, the idol of Lord Shiva travels to the Makkumath Temple, where it is worshipped in the winter. However, the Tungnath and Chandrashila Trek routes remain open⁕⁕

Tugnath Trek Route: This Is A Detailed Itinerary For You

How Long Is Tungnath Trek? From Chopta, it is a 3.5 Km trek to Tungnath. 

With beautiful Alpine meadows, lakes, and mountains, the Tungnath trek route is ethereal. Further, with the Tungnath Temple, Chandrashila Peak, and Deorital being the main attractions, it is a journey of hope, faith, and self-actualization. 

Please let me know if you want more stories about Deorital and Chandrashila Peak. I would love to share the tales I know and have read in books with you. For now, here is a detailed itinerary with the journey starting from Rishikesh. 

You can directly reach Chopta from Rishikesh by road. It is almost a 210 km drive, and from Chopta, you can take trek stairs to the Tungnath Temple. 

The Wonders Of Tungnath Trek And The Beauty Of The 1000 Year Old Shiva Temple

The Tungnath Temple stands tall from the time of the Mahabharata. Over the years, many kings and queens of different dynasties have renovated it, and even today, it is an example of excellence in architecture, depicting the Nagara style. 

The stone-made temple stands out, thanks to the intricate woodwork and sculptures. The first thing you will notice while entering the temple is a statue of Nandi or the companion of Lord Shiva. 

Nandi standing at the entrance symbolizes the eternal wait and devotion of a devotee for the worshipped. It is said that nothing comes between a devotee and their Lord. So, you must not stand in the pathway between Nandi and the Lord Shiva idol here or in any Shiva temple.

You will also see the following idols and representations at the temple.

• Kala Bhairava (the Protector of Varanasi)
• Lord Ganesha
• Adi Shankaracharya (The Great Pioneer of Advaita Vedanta)
• Sage Vyas (The Author of the Mahabharata)
• Ganas (the companions of Lord Shiva, residing in Mount Kailash)

Furthermore, there is a temple of Goddess Parvati in the center of the temple complex. So, this is a perfect example of the union of the divine masculine and divine feminine with the Lord coexisting with his consort. 

Decoding The Spiritual Significance Of Tungnath Temple And Tungnath Trek

Along with the Ramayana and Mahabharata, Tungnath Temple is also mentioned in the Bhagavata Purana and Vishnu Purana. 

Further, in Hinduism, the arms of Lord Shiva are highly symbolic. These arms represent the trinity of creation, protection, and destruction. 

His arms also represent everything eternal, as Shiva is self-born with no beginning or end. Moreover, he is the great time himself and the eternal witness. 

So, by worshipping the arm of Lord Shiva at Tungnath, you seek his blessings and a way to connect to the powerful divine energy.

The Tungnath Temple is also very close to the Madhyamaheshwar or Madmaheswar Temple. Madhyamaheshwar Temple is another Panch Kedar site where the navel of Lord Shiva is worshipped. 

Further, it offers the most amazing 360-degree view of the surrounding mountains and valleys. 

Which Trek Is Difficult, Kedarnath Or Tungnath?

Kedarnath and Tungnath treks have moderate difficulty levels, and both are located Uttarakhand, India. Moreover, Kedarnath is the prime site of the Panch Kedar or holy abodes of Lord Shiva. 

However, despite a higher elevation, the Tungnath trek is more suitable for beginners due to its easy accessibility from Chopta. 

Further, the Kedarnath trek route distance is more than the Tungnath Trek distance. The table below briefly compares the height and distance of the trek routes’ height and distance and the specific challenges in each journey.

Suppose you are a devotee of Lord Shiva and complete a journey to Panch Kedar or the five holy sites dedicated to him, you can be a part of the Panch Kedar Yatra Uttarakhand, conducted by Uttarakhand Tourism. 

The journey will start from Shri Kalpeshwar Temple, and then you will visit Kedarnath, Madmaheswar, and Rudranath. Further, Tungnath will be the final destination of this holy journey.

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