Tungnath – Highest Temple of Lord Shiva

Tungnath peacefully adorned on the Chandranath Parvat is the highest Shiva temple in the world and the highest Panch Kedar temple of Uttarakhand. It is the third (Tritiya Kedar) in the pecking order of the Panch Kedars. Tungnath is perched at an elevation of 3, 680 metres above sea level and is considered to be more than 1,000 years old.

Nearby Location

Chopta:

Chopta is situated on Gopeshwar-Ukhimath road at an altitude of 2900 mts. It is about 4 km far from Tungnath and is the main place for trekking to Tungnath.

Deoria Lake:

At an Altitude of 2387mts, Deoria Lake is situated on Ukhimath-Chopta road. The lake is surrounded by snow covered hills of Chaukhamba range. Deoria Lake is an attraction for trek-lovers and for one who loves camping.

Chandrashila:

Chandrashila is the peak of the ridge hosting the famous Tungnath temple. It literally means “Moon Rock”. It is located at a height of about 4,000 metres (13,000 ft) above sea level. This peak provides enchanting vistas of the Himalayas, including Nandadevi, Trisul, Kedar Peak, Bandarpunch and Chaukhamba peaks. There are various legends associated with this place. According to one such legend, this is the place where Lord Rama meditated after defeating the demon-king Ravana. Another legend says that moon-god Chandra spent time here in penance.

Best Time to Visit Chopta Chandrashila Trek

Best time to travel to Chopta is in summers (April – June) and winters (Oct – Dec). Winter treks are also conducted in Chopta and the best months to trek are between Jan and March.

In Summers:

The weather of Chopta remains salubrious during summers. The Himalayas are distinctly visible and the cool breeze can felt early in the morning and in the late evening. Carrying light woolens is advised.

In Monsoon:

Chopta turns greener during the monsoon season. Although trekking becomes challenging and there are chances of getting roads blocked for a couple of hours due to landslides, the scenic beauty of Chopta during monsoons is worth taking the risk for. Carrying raincoats is advised.

In Winters:

The region gets blanketed in snow during the winter season and the accommodation options are also restricted to few. But Chopta looks the best during winters and indeed the trek becomes more difficult. Carrying heavy woolens is advised.