"Tunganath" -The Highest Temple of the world.

"Tunganath" -The Highest Temple of the world.

Chowkhamba from Tunganath

Tunganath is one of the 5 Shiva shrines, the Panchkedar. Panch – means 5 and pronounced as punch; Kedar – name of Hindu God Lord Shiva and pronounced as Kay-daar. The other 4 are Kedarnath, Madhmaheshwar, Rudranath, and Kalpanath.

At the Panchkedar the worshipped stone or image is considered a manifestation of Lord Shiva’s various body parts. At Kedarnath the rump is visible, at Madmaheshwar his navel or belly, the face at Rudranath, the hair (locks) at Kalpeshwar and his arms at Tunganath. All of these Temples were supposedly built at the behest of Adi Shankaracharya.  

 Tungnath (altitude of 3,886 meters) is the highest temple in the world. Legend has it that the arm of Shiva appeared here. Ravana, of the Ramayana, is said to have performed penance at this temple to propitiate Shiva. The high altitude temple is a Seat of Swyambhu Linga or the Lord Shiva Incarnate. The temple, one of the Panchakedars or one of the five Shiva temples, is situated in Chamoli district of the Uttarakhand region. The mythology has it that Lord Shiva was enraged at the act of homicide enacted by the Pandavas by killing their brethren in the grand battle of Mahabharata. Aware of Shiva's annoyance, the Pandavas built the temple to please Lord Shiva and for their own salvation. Others claim that the Adi Shankaracharya during his historic visit to the region had got it built. The cite the presence of Adi Shankaracharya's image in the garbha-griha or the sanctum of the temple. However, it also houses images of the Pandavas. Besides, the ashtadhatu images of Kaal Bhairava and Veda Vyasa are among the multitude of images there. A dark left-tilting one-foot high linga is the centre of attraction. The locals describe it as an arm of Lord Shiva. 

How To Reach

Chopta is the gate way of Tunganath. Rishikesh - Ukhimath 180 kms Drive. From Ukhimath to Chopta another 35 km. Nearly 4 Kms Trek to Tunganath starts from here.
Chandrashila peak is another 1 km trek from Tunganath. one can climb the chandrashila peak from Tungnath as it is in the same feature and can be reached in about an hour's time The peak provides a rare panoramic view of innumerable snow peak. The trek passes through forests of Rhododendron and alpine meadows. If heading towards Ukhimath one should not miss Deoriatal, now jeepable from Mastura. It is a small deep lake at an altitude of 2440m. In early morning, the snowy ranges including Chaukhamba and Kedarnath is clearly reflected on the water; an unforgettable sight.