Tungnath Temple

As the Panch Kedar legend goes, Shiva in his bull-form sank into the earth and reappeared in five different forms, at Tungnath, his arms appeared, which is why he is worshipped here in that form. The Pandavas built a temple here too, and today it is the second of the Panch Kedar and the most easily reached of the five.

Tungnath's architecture is believed to date to the Katyuri period, and its extreme altitude makes it the highest Shiva temple in the world. The temple sits just below Chandrashila peak, from where a sweeping view of major Himalayan peaks, including Chaukhamba and Nanda Devi, opens up.

Tungnath is the most accessible of the Panch Kedar, just a 3-3.5 km climb from Chopta, typically covered in 2-3 hours at a comfortable pace. Despite the altitude, this makes it suitable for both first-time and experienced trekkers, though climbing at a steady, unhurried pace is still advisable to avoid altitude fatigue.

Most pilgrims combine a Tungnath visit with the climb to Chandrashila peak (about 1 km further, at roughly 4,000 m), known for its 360-degree Himalayan views. The temple's doors close through heavy winter snowfall, when worship shifts to its winter seat at Makkumath.