There is something almost audacious about the idea of building a temple at 3,680 metres. At that altitude, the air is thin, the weather unpredictable, and the approach — even in summer — demands real physical effort. But Tungnath Temple has stood at that height for over a thousand years, making it the highest Shiva temple in the world and one of the Panch Kedar — the five sacred Shiva shrines of the Garhwal Himalaya associated with the Pandavas of the Mahabharata.
The 3.5-km trek from Chopta to Tungnath, and the further 1.5-km climb to the summit of Chandrashila (4,130m), is one of the most popular and most rewarding treks in Uttarakhand. It combines profound religious significance with landscapes of startling beauty: alpine meadows carpeted with wildflowers in summer, ancient stone shrines emerging from the snow in winter, and 180-degree panoramic views of Himalayan peaks from the summit that include Nanda Devi, Trishul, Kedar Dome, Chaukhamba and Bandarpunch.
The Religious Significance of Tungnath
Tungnath is the third of the Panch Kedar — five Himalayan shrines associated with the legend of the Pandavas seeking Lord Shiva's blessing after the Kurukshetra war. According to the Mahabharata, Shiva — unwilling to meet the Pandavas who had caused such destruction — disguised himself as a bull (Nandi) and tried to escape into the earth. Different parts of his body emerged at different locations in Garhwal, and shrines were built at each point.
At Tungnath, it is said that Shiva's arms (bahu) emerged from the ground. The main image in the temple therefore emphasises Shiva's mighty arms — the deity is worshipped here as Tungeswara. The Panch Kedar circuit (Kedarnath, Madhyamaheshwar, Tungnath, Rudranath, Kalpeshwar) is one of the most demanding and revered pilgrimage routes in Hinduism.
The temple structure itself is believed to be over 1,000 years old, built in the North Indian Nagara style with a small stone shikhara (tower) characteristic of Garhwali mountain temples. Despite its extreme altitude, the craftsmanship is remarkable — the stone carvings on the exterior walls have withstood centuries of Himalayan winters.
Tungnath Trek: Route & Details
| Segment | Distance | Altitude Gain | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chopta → Tungnath Temple | 3.5 km | 1,030m gain (from 2,650m) | 2–3 hours |
| Tungnath → Chandrashila Summit | 1.5 km | 450m gain | 1–1.5 hours |
| Chandrashila → Chopta (return) | 5 km | Descent | 2–3 hours |
The Trail Character
The path from Chopta begins in dense rhododendron and oak forest — spectacular in late March and April when the rhododendrons bloom in red and pink against the snow. As the trail climbs, the trees give way to open alpine meadows (called bugyals) with views of the surrounding peaks. The final approach to the temple is along a stone-paved path that has been worn smooth by centuries of pilgrims.
Beyond the temple, the trail to Chandrashila becomes steeper and more exposed. In winter (November to March), this section is snow-covered and requires microspikes or crampons. At the summit, the 360-degree panorama is one of the finest viewpoints in the entire western Himalayan range — on a clear day, you can see over a dozen peaks above 6,000m.
Chandrashila Summit (4,130m)
Chandrashila — literally "Moon Rock" — is the summit immediately above Tungnath and one of the great viewpoints of Garhwal. The legend says this is where Lord Rama meditated after defeating Ravana in Lanka, seeking purification from the brahmahatya sin of killing a brahmin (Ravana was a brahmin). A small Shiva shrine marks the summit.
The views from Chandrashila are legendary: Nanda Devi (7,816m) in the east — India's highest peak — along with Trishul (7,120m), Kedarnath Dome (6,831m), Chaukhamba (7,138m), Neelkanth (6,596m) and on exceptional days even distant peaks of Tibet. At sunrise, the peaks catch the first orange light while the valleys remain in deep shadow — creating a photograph that appears almost too dramatic to be real.
Best Season for Tungnath Trek
Summer (April–June): Rhododendrons & Wildflowers
April and May bring the rhododendron bloom — the forests between Chopta and Tungnath transform into rivers of red and pink flowers. The weather is generally clear, though afternoon clouds can build. Wildflowers carpet the meadows through May and June. This is the most popular season with pilgrims and trekkers alike.
Monsoon (July–August): Lush but Challenging
The monsoon brings extraordinary greenery but also consistent rain, leeches on the trail, and cloud cover that blocks the mountain views. Not recommended unless you enjoy the primordial atmosphere of a mist-shrouded Himalayan forest in the rain — which, admittedly, has its own strange beauty.
Autumn (September–October): Best Photography
September–October offers the clearest skies of the year, dramatically reducing crowds (the pilgrim rush has subsided), and the best Himalayan panoramas. The meadows are post-monsoon green, the air is crisp, and the light at this latitude in October is extraordinary. This is the preferred season for landscape photographers.
Winter (November–March): Snow Trek
Tungnath temple officially closes in November (the deity moves to Mukhmath village in the valley). But the trek itself remains open and offers something entirely different — a snow-covered landscape of pristine beauty, almost total solitude, and the challenge of navigating deep snow on the upper slopes. Bring proper winter gear, hire a local guide, and check road conditions — Chopta can be cut off by heavy snowfall.
How to Reach Chopta
- From Rishikesh: 200 km via Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Ukhimath — approximately 7–8 hours by road
- From Dehradun: 230 km via Mussoorie, Chamba, Ukhimath — approximately 8–9 hours
- From Srinagar (Garhwal): 120 km via Rudraprayag and Ukhimath — approximately 4 hours
- Shared jeeps and taxis run from Ukhimath and Rudraprayag to Chopta in the trekking season
- Nearest railhead: Rishikesh
Where to Stay Near Chopta
Chopta has grown considerably as a tourist destination. Options include:
- Forest Rest House: Basic but atmospheric — book through Uttarakhand Forest Department website
- Private guesthouses: Several small hotels and guesthouses have opened near the Chopta meadow (₹800–₹2,500 per night)
- Camping: The meadow around Chopta is excellent for camping — several operators offer fully serviced camp setups, especially for winter snow camping (₹1,500–₹3,500 per person)
- Accommodation fills up fast on weekends and May–June — book ahead
Trek Tips & Practical Advice
- Start early (6–7 AM) to reach Chandrashila summit before clouds build after noon
- Carry at least 2 litres of water — no reliable water source between Chopta and the temple
- Altitude: if coming from sea level, spend one night at Chopta (2,650m) before attempting the full Chandrashila summit
- Temple is open approximately May to November — confirm dates before visiting
- Lightweight trekking poles significantly help on the steep descent from Chandrashila
- Horses/ponies available at Chopta for the Tungnath section (₹500–₹800 one way)
"Tungnath is the proof that the most extraordinary places on earth require you to earn them — and reward you magnificently for doing so."
The Tungnath–Chandrashila trek is, for many people, the trek that changes everything. Not the hardest, not the most remote — but the one that combines temple, summit, snow and 360-degree Himalayan views in a single day that feels, frankly, impossible to believe. Come once and you will plan your return before you have even finished descending.