Tungnath Mahadev
Chopta · Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand · 3680m
Widely described as the world's highest Shiva temple, Tungnath is reached by a steep 3.5 km paved mountain trail from Chopta. Chandrashila is a further climb of about 1.5 km and reaches roughly 4,000m.
Darshan Information
Darshan Hours
~6:00 AM – ~6:00 PM
Approximate seasonal schedule
No official public timetable · Verify with the shrine pujari or at Chopta before trekking
Daily Aarti
~6 AM · ~6 PM
Timing varies: verify with the shrine pujari on arrival
Entry Fee
Free
General darshan
Dress Code
Warm Layers
Min 3 layers · Windproof outer essential · Trekking shoes required for 3.5 km trek · Shoes off at shrine
Best Time to Visit
May – Nov 2026
Approx dates: verify with Chopta locals before trek · Winter deity at Makkumath
Security Rules
Follow Current Rules
Photography of the Himalayan landscape allowed · No restrictions inside small shrine
Expected Wait Time
Approximate planning estimate only · Not live or guaranteed
Weekdays
Approx. 10–20 min
Weekdays in season (3,680m)
Weekends
Approx. 20–45 min
Weekends in season
Festivals
Approx. 45 min–1.5 hrs
May opening · Oct closing · Shravan Somvaris
Trek Access
3.5 km from Chopta
Steep high-altitude trail · Pony availability varies
Chandrashila is a further roughly 1.5 km · Confirm trail, weather and temple status before starting
Panch Kedar #2 · Trek Route
Chopta to Tungnath
Distance
3.5 km
One way
Altitude
3,680m
approximately 800–1,070m gain
Duration
1.5 to 2.5 hours
Descent 1–1.5 hrs
Difficulty
Moderate
short but steep and at high altitude
Trail Waypoints
Chopta (Base)
Elevation varies · 0 km
Midpoint Forest Zone
Elevation varies · 1.75 km
Tungnath Temple
3680m · 3.5 km
routeStone-paved path, well-maintained
petsPony service · Confirm current availability and fareChandrashila Summit
About 1.5 km beyond Tungnath · A steep high-altitude extension
Around 4,000m · Allow extra time · Weather dependent
Chandrashila is about 1.5 km beyond Tungnath and rises to roughly 4,000m. The extension is steeper than the temple trail. On a clear day it offers wide Himalayan views, but snow, fog and strong winds can make the route unsafe. Check conditions locally and turn back if the weather changes.
~4,000m
Approx. summit altitude
+1.5 km
From Tungnath
~1 hour
Extra time
Full Day Plan: Chopta → Tungnath → Chandrashila
- 1
Depart Chopta by 6:00–6:30 AM. Start early to avoid afternoon clouds and thunderstorms that build by noon-1 PM, especially July-August.
- 2
Reach Tungnath (~3.5 km, 1.5–2.5 hrs). Take darshan of the Shivalinga. This is a simple temple without elaborate rituals. Offer flowers and Gangajal if you have it.
- 3
Continue to Chandrashila Summit (+1.5 km, ~1 hour). Arrive for morning views before clouds build. The 360° Himalayan panorama includes peaks visible on almost no other accessible viewpoint in India.
- 4
Descend to Chopta (total descent: ~5 km, 1.5–2.5 hrs). Back by 12–1 PM for a full-day circuit of ~10 km, 5–6 hours. Night stay at Chopta strongly recommended for Chandrashila sunrise (most spectacular in Sep–Oct).
Sunrise trek from Chopta (depart 4:30 AM) is considered one of Uttarakhand's finest experiences in September–October. You arrive at Chandrashila just as dawn breaks over the Himalayan giants.
Puja Schedule
Tungnath has no official portal or formal schedule. These are approximate timings from the local priest community. Verify with priests at Chopta before starting your trek.
Travel and Stay
At a Glance
Rhododendrons
Red and pink flowers are common in spring, especially March–April
Chandrashila
About 1.5 km beyond Tungnath · Summit is roughly 4,000 m
Weather and Trail Window
September–October often has clearer mountain views · Check trail and temple status
directions_transitHow to Reach Tungnath
By Train
Rishikesh · 209 km
By Flight
Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (DED) · 226 km
By Road
Rishikesh to Chopta · 209 km
hotelWhere to Stay
GMVN accommodation near Chopta
Check the current GMVN listing, rate and availability before travel. Seasonal demand can be high.
Forest rest house options
Permission and advance booking may be required. Confirm the current process with the local forest office.
Private guesthouses and camps
Rooms and camps operate seasonally around Chopta. Compare current rates, facilities and recent reviews before booking.
If planning an early start, check accommodation near Chopta in advance. Uttarakhand Tourism places Ukhimath around 45 km away by road; journey time can vary with mountain-road conditions.
wb_sunnySeason and Trail Planning
Sep – Oct · Best Overall
Post-monsoon clear skies. Best Himalayan views from Chandrashila. Temperatures 5–15°C by day. Golden foliage on the trek. Ideal for the Chandrashila sunrise experience.
Apr – May · Rhododendrons
Spectacular pink and red rhododendron blooms throughout the forest trail. Snow patches may remain. Cold nights can fall below 0°C, so carry full winter gear. Temple opens in early May.
Jul – Aug · Monsoon
Trail slippery and foggy. Low visibility often blocks Chandrashila views. Afternoon thunderstorms. Not recommended. If visiting, start before 6 AM and descend by noon.
Temple Highlights
World's Highest Shiva Temple: Surpasses Kedarnath
Tungnath stands at about 3,680m and is widely described as the world's highest Shiva temple. The 3.5 km route from Chopta is short but steep. Published tourism sources give different elevations for the wider Chopta area, so visitors should prepare for a substantial climb and high altitude rather than relying on a precise elevation-gain figure.
Rhododendron Forest: Spectacular April–May Bloom
The entire Chopta-Tungnath trek passes through dense rhododendron forests at the heart of the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary. From late March to May, the trail bursts with pink and red rhododendron blooms at high altitude, considered one of India's finest mountain floral displays. Many trekkers specifically time their visit for this window.
Pandava-Built Temple: Arms of the Divine Bull
Tungnath is believed to have been built by the Pandavas as part of their atonement journey after the Kurukshetra war. It enshrines the arms (bahu) of the divine bull Mahabali (Lord Shiva in disguise), who appeared before the Pandavas and then plunged into the earth at multiple locations to form the Panch Kedar circuit. The ancient stone temple is believed to be over 1,000 years old.
5 Subsidiary Shrines in One Complex
Five smaller shrines surround the main Tungnath temple: dedicated to Parvati, Rama, Krishna, Yama, and Kubera. Each represents a different aspect of the sacred geography of this mountaintop. Combined with the main Shivalinga, this creates a complete sacred complex at a location most Indian pilgrims never imagine could exist at 3,680m.
Season & Best Times
Temple Opening: 22 April 2026
Tungnath opened on 22 April 2026. Snow or ice can remain on the upper trail early in the season. The 2026 closing date should be treated as pending until the temple committee announces it.
What to do: Confirm the temple status, trail condition and closing date locally before booking travel.
Rhododendron Peak: April to May
The Chopta-Tungnath trail passes through one of the finest rhododendron forests in the Himalayas. Pink and red blooms at 3,000–3,600m altitude against snow-capped peaks. Many trekkers consider this the most visually spectacular window of the year.
What to do: Mid-April to early May for peak bloom. The trail can be cold and snowy, so carry full winter gear. Evening temperatures drop below 0°C even in May.
Prime Season: September to October
The finest window for Chandrashila views. Post-monsoon skies are crystal clear and the Himalayan panorama is at its sharpest. The valley turns golden. Temperatures are comfortable (5–18°C by day). This is when the Chandrashila sunrise trek is most spectacular.
What to do: Book GMVN Chopta 2–4 weeks ahead for September–October. Plan a night stay for the sunrise trek. Early October is the best single window of the entire season.
The Story of Tungnath
After the Kurukshetra war, the Pandava brothers sought Lord Shiva to atone for the sin of killing their own kin. Shiva, unwilling to grant them absolution easily, disguised himself as a bull (Nandi/Mahabali) and fled. As the divine bull plunged into the earth, different parts of his body emerged at five different locations, forming the sacred Panch Kedar circuit. At Tungnath, the arms (bahu) of the bull emerged. The Pandavas, recognizing the divine significance, built a temple at this spot in gratitude and atonement.
The current stone temple is believed to be over 1,000 years old and built in the North Indian Nagara architectural style. Unlike Kedarnath (managed by the prestigious BKTC and the Government of Uttarakhand), Tungnath is managed by a local Devasthan committee of Brahmin priests from nearby villages. This gives it a simpler, more intimate character. The temple sits at the head of the Kedar Valley, surrounded by Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, one of Uttarakhand's most pristine high-altitude ecosystems and home to musk deer, Himalayan black bear, and rare snow leopard.
According to Panch Kedar tradition, Shiva's arms appeared at Tungnath. The temple remains an important stop for pilgrims completing the five-shrine journey.
Nearby Temples & Sites
Chandrashila Peak
near_me About 1.5 km beyond Tungnath · ~4,000m
A steep extension with wide Himalayan views in clear weather. It is optional and should be attempted only when the trail and weather are suitable.
Deoria Tal Lake
near_me Around 50 km by road from Chopta · Then ~3 km walk from Sari
Crystal-clear Himalayan lake (2,438m) reflecting the Chaukhamba peaks in mirror-still water at dawn. One of Uttarakhand's most photographed spots. 3 km gentle trek from Sari village. Often combined with Tungnath as a 2-day Chopta circuit.
Ukhimath / Omkareshwar
near_me Around 45 km by road from Chopta
Winter seat of the Kedarnath and Madhyamaheshwar deities, both of whom spend 6 months here. Ancient Omkareshwar Shiva temple. Essential stop on the Panch Kedar circuit. Gateway to Madhyamaheshwar (Panch Kedar #4).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tungnath really the world's highest Shiva temple?
Tungnath stands at about 3,680m and is widely described by Uttarakhand tourism sources as the world's highest Shiva temple.
The trail is about 3.5 km, but it is steep and reaches high altitude. Public tourism sources give different elevations for the wider Chopta area, so prepare for a substantial climb rather than relying on a precise elevation-gain figure.
How difficult is the Tungnath trek? Can elderly people do it?
The trek is best treated as moderate. It is only about 3.5 km, but the path is steep and the temple is at 3,680m.
- Walk slowly, carry water and warm layers, and turn back if you feel unwell.
- Pony availability and fares change, so confirm them at Chopta.
- Chandrashila is steeper and more exposed than the temple trail. Check weather and trail conditions before continuing.
People with heart, lung, mobility or altitude-related concerns should seek medical advice before planning the climb.
Is there a helicopter to Tungnath?
There is no direct helicopter service to Tungnath. Visitors use the approximately 3.5 km paved mountain trail from Chopta. Confirm current pony availability and fares locally.
When does Tungnath open in 2026?
Tungnath opened on 22 April 2026.
The closing date can vary and should be confirmed through Uttarakhand Tourism, GMVN or local authorities before booking travel.
What is the Chandrashila sunrise trek? Is it worth it?
Chandrashila can offer wide Himalayan views in clear weather, but it is optional and more demanding than the temple trail.
It lies about 1.5 km beyond Tungnath at roughly 4,000m. Start only after checking snow, wind, visibility and the return time with local authorities or experienced guides.
Route and elevation information was reviewed against Uttarakhand Tourism and Rudraprayag district sources in July 2026. Darshan timings, closing date, trail condition and local service rates can change; confirm them before travel.