- Tungnath Temple Historical Significance
- Tungnath Mandir Opening Months – Timings, Darshan, Aarti, and More
- How to Reach Tungnath Temple?
- Tungnath Temple Photos
- Tungnath Trek Distance From Major Points
- Local Stays Near Tungnath Temple Chopta
- Nearby Places You Can Cover During Your Visit to Tungnath Temple
- Summing Up!
Are you feeling burned out and want to visit something serene, spiritual, yet empty of tourists? Then, the Tungnath temple might be the best pick for you.
Unlike the overly crowded Kedarnath Temple or Triveni Ghat, take a stroll through this underrated gem this time – Tungnath Mahadev temple.
Surrounded by mesmerizing mountain ranges, topped up with divine spirituality, and scenic views. It is a combination of a peaceful getaway with a deep dive into ancient history.
So, if this place left you hooked, find all the possible details in this blog post, from historical significance to timings and the distance; we’ve got everything covered.
Tungnath Temple Historical Significance
Tungnath mandir is located near Chopta in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand and lies at an altitude of 12,073 feet (Tungnath height in feet).
It is one of the highest Shiva temples in the world and is also known to be one of the most prominent Panch Kedars. But besides this, it has another connection with the Pandavas too, so let us walk you through that below.
The Pandava Connection
The origin of the Tungnath temple dates back to the Mahabharata era. According to the Hindu mythological stories, it is believed that the Pandavas built this temple during their quest for forgiveness after the Kurukshetra War.
Lord Shiva, disguised as a bull, tried to evade them and disappeared into the ground, only to reappear in fragments at different places – each known as Panch Kedar (five sacred temples dedicated to Lord Shiva). At Tungnath, it is believed that Shiva’s arms (bahu) emerged from the ground.
The journey to the Tungnath temple starts from Chopta (after that, you’ll have to trek and reach the Tungnath mandir).
Tungnath Mandir Opening Months – Timings, Darshan, Aarti, and More
Similar to the Kedarnath temple, even the Tungnath temple is open to visitors for only 6 months. Each year, the Badri Kedar Temple Committee decides and announces the commencement dates of the Third Kedar Tungnath.
Tungnath Temple Opening Dates for 2025:
Here’s a table that will navigate you through the opening dates for Tungnath Mahadev Temple for 2025:
| Tungnath Mandir Opening Date | 2 May 2025 |
| Tungnath Mandir Closing Date (Estimated) | 1 November 2025 (Tentative) |
Tungnath Mahadev Temple Timings
Don’t forget to miss the evening aarti at the Tungnath temple, you’ll have a boost of spirituality, serenity, and divine energy. Here’s a table that features the timings for morning and evening aarti.
| Tungnath Temple Morning Visit | Darshan Timings – 06:00 AM |
| Aarti Timings – 07:00 AM – 12:00 PM | |
| Tungnath Temple Evening Visit | Darshan Timings – 06:30 PM |
| Aarti Timings – 03:00 PM – 07:00 PM |
How to Reach Tungnath Temple?
Now that you’ve got the basic information of the temple in your hand, here’s a detailed breakdown of how to reach there (covering almost every mode of transport possible).
Temple Precise Address:
- By Air: If you’re planning to visit the Tungnath Mahadev temple by air, grab a flight to Jolly Grant Airport, aka Dehradun airport. From there, you can take a taxi or bus to Chopta, the base for the trek to Tungnath.
- By Railways: Unfortunately, there’s no direct station to the Tungnath temple; the nearest station is Rishikesh, which is approximately 200-240 km away. So, it is not advised to travel via the train route.
- By Road: NH 7 is the main highway connecting Chopta with other major cities, offering scenic views along the way.
- By Bus: Planning to visit by bus? The best way to get there! Navigate to the nearest interstate bus stop and take a bus to nearby towns like Rishikesh, Rudraprayag, Ukhimath, or Guptkashi. Further, get off at any of these and hire a taxi or shared jeep to Chopta.
Tungnath Temple Photos
Enough of just reading about the Tungnath Mahadev temple. Here are some visual shots of the temple, which will make your eyes go glittery, and you’ll straightaway text your group chat to visit there as soon as possible.
Tungnath Trek Distance From Major Points
Tungnath temple is serene, right? Now, let’s look at the exact distance from the major points, so that you can plan your trip smoothly and hassle-free!
1. Rishikesh To Tungnath Distance
As mentioned, Rishikesh is the nearest railway station, but even that is 201 km away from the actual location, which means it would take around 5–6 hrs. So if you’re willing to explore Rishikesh too before you head off to Tungnath, it is advised to take a stop there.
2. Chopta To Tungnath Distance
Chopta is the base; the trek starts from here, and the overall Chopta to Tungnath trek distance would be around 3.5 to 4 km, which will take around 3–4 hrs for beginners and 2–3 hours for moderators.
3. Dehradun To Tungnath Distance
Dehradun is 240 km away from the actual location (also the nearest airport), so if you’re coming from the Southern part of India, it is advised to take the air route to cut down some portion of your travel.
Local Stays Near Tungnath Temple Chopta
Looking for a place to soak in the mountains after or before your trek? Here are some personalized recommendations from our end that offer a homely vibe away from your home.
1. Magpie Eco Retreat
Location: MAGPIE ECO RETREAT – Deoria Tal, Ukhimath, Uttarakhand 246469
Rating: 4.4/5
2. Snow Pod Chopta
Location: Makku Math, Chopta, Uttarakhand 246419
Rating: 3.8/5
3. Chopta Meadows Heritage Camps
Location: Ukhimath – Chopta – Gopeshwar Rd, Pangair, Chopta, Dilangwar, Uttarakhand 246469
Rating: 4/5
4. Hotel View Point, Chopta
Location: Ukhimath Tala Mastura Rd, Tala Village, Sari, Uttarakhand 246469
Rating: 4/5
5. Himalayan Eco Lodge – Sari Village
Location: Malta by Earthly, Deoria Tal Paidal Marg, near Main Gate, Sari, Saari Village, Uttarakhand 246469
Rating: 4.5/5
Nearby Places You Can Cover During Your Visit to Tungnath Temple
If you’ve trekked so hard and made it to the main temple, why not celebrate the getaway with some other unskippable places? Here are some personalized recommendations (stolen from a friend) to tick off.
1. Chandrashila Peak
Chandrashila Peak (situated at 12,110 feet), famous for its breathtaking 360-degree view of the Himalayan ranges, is known to be one of the best winter treks in Uttarakhand with a clear and fascinating view of Kedarnath Peak from the top.
2. Rhododendron and Oak Forests
Seems like we’ve hyped up Uttarakhand only for its pretty skies and scenic views, and meanwhile, we almost overlooked the pretty florals this state holds.
Ever heard of Rhododendron and Oak forests? These are the state flowers of Uttarakhand, adding charm with their bright red, pink, and white blossoms during spring. So, if you’re planning to visit Tungnath, make sure to feel the florals and enjoy the mesmerizing experience.
3. Deoria Tal
Around 20 km from Chopta, there is this beautiful Deoria Tal, which is a serene lake surrounded by dense forests and a sneak peek of Chaukhamba peaks (vividly famous for its breathtaking sunrise and sunsets).
Perfect for stargazing, camping, and bird watching in the early mornings. So, whether you’re a trekker or just want to sit in a moment of silence, Deoria Tal is the best fit for you.
4. Ukhimath
Ukhimath is around 28 kilometres from Chopta, and it holds a great religious significance as it is widely known as the winter seat of the Kedarnath temple.
When the Kedarnath temple is closed during winters (due to heavy snowfall), the idol of Lord Shiva is moved and worshipped here. So, if you’re planning to visit Tungnath, this should be on your list.
5. Kalimath Temple
Kalimath Temple is roughly 50 kilometres from Chopta, and it is one of the 108 Shaktipeeths in India in the owe of Goddess Kali. Moreover, the best part is that there’s no idol here; instead, the divine energy is worshipped here through a yagana kund.
It is believed that Goddess Kali disappeared into the earth after slaying a demon here, so it has some sort of divine feminine powers.
Summing Up!
With that, we sum up the enchanting experience of this divine place as a focal point of serenity and scenic views.
Tungnath Mahadev mandir serves much more than just a place of worship; it is an ancient blend of history followed by beautiful views all along, which makes it perfect for all ages.
Whether you want to just relax and feel the divine energy or want to hop into the world of trekking for captivating views, this place has it all!
Is Tungnath higher than Kedarnath?
Yes, Tungnath is higher than Kedarnath, situated at an altitude of 3,680 meters (12,070 feet).
Which body part is in the Tungnath Temple?
The Tungnath Temple is believed to enshrine the arms (bahu) of Lord Shiva.
Which trek is harder, Tungnath or Kedarnath?
If we are talking about the complexity, the Kedarnath trek is harder than the Tungnath one, because it is around 32 km.
Is there an oxygen problem at Tungnath?
Yes, there can be a bit of an oxygen difficulty at Tungnath due to its high altitude, so it is advised to carry a vacuum pump or an inhaler with you.
How long is the trek to Tungnath?
The trek to Tungnath Temple from Chopta is approximately 2.2 miles (3.54 km)—it takes around 3–4 hours depending on your breaks.
