State: Uttarakhand
District: Chamoli
Dedicated to : Lord Shiva
Tungnath temple has been found be the highest Shiva temple of the World and is also the highest among the five Panch Kedar temples. It is located in the Indian State of Uttarakhand in the Mountain range of Tunganath in Rudraprayag district. The word Tunganath literally means the God of Mountain. This temple is the highest shrine of Hindus dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located just below Chandrashila's peak. It is believed to be 1000 years old and in the order of Panch Krdars, it is the tritiya Kedar. The temple has a great connection with the Mahabharata heroes Pandavas!!
The Tunganatha temple has to offer something to everyone, be it an ardent devotee of the Lord Shiva or a nature lover or is somebody who loves adventurous things. The location of the temple is so that it fabulously adorns the scene of the nature. Scriptures reveal that it is the Tungnatha temple where Lord Shiva's hands came into rest. And, also it is known that the temple was built by Pandvas to appease Lord Shiva.
Along with having great spiritual value, the temple is so beautifully located that it has the power to fascinate the visitors with its idyllic beauty. This is a great place for the ardent trekkers and the place reveals the unmatched beauty of the Gharwal countryside. The pleasantly beautiful and gushing cascade looks as if; it had just appeared from the heaven directly. Although, the trekking route of the temple is covered with brown stones, but the fantabulous view of the pasture makes trekking an awe-inspiring experience for people.
As per the Hindu mythology, both Shiva and his better half Paravati resided in the Himalayas! The Tungnatha temple is actually associated with the Panch Kedar temples which were built by Pandavas. It is believed that Pandavas were advised by sage Vyas Rashi, that their sin of slaying their own cousins Kauravas during the war of Mahabharata in the Kurukshetra, can only be pardoned if they will worship Lord Shiva and make him happy. And, upon the advice they went on to searching for Lord Shiva who was trying to avoid Pandavas because of being convinced about the guilt of Pandavas. In order that, Panvas could not find them, Lord Shiva went on to take a shelter at Guptakashi and took the form of a bull. Nevertheless, Pandavas got catch of him and the body parts of Lord Shiva in the form of bull got rematerialized at five different locations and were later known as Panch Kedaras where the Pndvas built temple of Lord Shiva so as to seek his pardon for their sin to slay their own cousins. Tunganatha was the place where the hands were found! It was Kedarnatha where the hump was seen and the head, navel, stomach and his Jata appeared at Rudranath, Madhyamaheshwar and Kalpeshwara respectively. The facts also say that the chief character of Ramayana, Lord Rama, meditated at Chandrashil peak in the vicinity of Tunganatha. Also, it is believed that the Lanka King Ravana, did Penance to Lord Shivaat the time when he resided there.
Tunganath temple witnesses a great weather all through seasons.
Summers are apt for visiting the temple as that time it witnesses a moderate climate with an average temperature of 16 degree Celsius. This season is perfect for all the sightseeing and visiting the nearby attractions.
This season witnesses scanty rains! The period is particularly apt for sightseeing as at that time the panoramic view of the hills is very pleasurable.
These are chilly days with the minimum temperature touching at 4 degree Celsius! The minimum can also touch to sub zero level. Snow fall can also be seen during this season.
The most apt time to visit to the Tunganatha from April to November
The best season to visit Tunganath is from April to November.
