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(Created page with " ==Etymology== '''Tungnath''' is derived from the Sanskrit words "Tunga" meaning "arm" or "shoulder" and "Nath" meaning "lord" or "master", referring to Lord Shiva's arm or shoulder, which is believed to have fallen here. == History == Since ancient times, the Tungnath Temple has held great significance for its darshan (visit), and despite being the highest temple of Lord Shiva, it has remained a place of solace for devotees. It is mentioned in many places that after...") |
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{{Short description|Hindu Temple in Uttarakhand, India}} | |||
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}} | |||
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2017}} | |||
{{Infobox Hindu temple | |||
| name = Tungnath Temple | |||
| image = Tungnath temple.jpg | |||
| alt = A view of the temples in Tungnath | |||
| caption = A view of the temples in Tungnath | |||
| map_type = India Uttarakhand | |||
| map_caption = Location in Uttarakhand | |||
| coordinates = {{coord|30|29|22|N|79|12|55|E|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}} | |||
| coordinates_footnotes= | |||
| country = [[India]] | |||
| state = [[Uttarakhand]] | |||
| district = [[Rudraprayag district|Rudraprayag]] | |||
| locale = | |||
| elevation_m = 3680 | |||
| deity = [[Shiva]] | |||
| festivals = [[Maha Shivratri|Maha Shivaratri]] | |||
| architecture = North-Indian Himalayan architecture | |||
| temple_quantity = | |||
| monument_quantity = | |||
| inscriptions = | |||
| year_completed = Unknown | |||
| creator = Pandavas (according to legend) | |||
| website =https://uttarakhandtourism.gov.in/destination/chopta | |||
|map_alt=tungnath temple}} | |||
'''Tungnath Temple''' ([[IAST]]:tuņgnāth) is one of the highest [[Shiva]] temples in the world<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://round.glass/magazine/journeys/hidden-hamlets/tungnath-the-highest-shiva-temple/|title=Tungnath: The Highest Shiva Temple|last=Ayandrali Dutta|date=2018-02-05|website=Magazine {{!}} RoundGlass|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-14|archive-date=10 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191110224617/https://round.glass/magazine/journeys/hidden-hamlets/tungnath-the-highest-shiva-temple/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and is the highest of the five [[Panch Kedar]] temples located in the [[Rudraprayag district]], in the [[India]]n [[States and territories of India|state]] of [[Uttarakhand]]. The Tungnath (literal meaning: Lord of the peaks) mountains form the [[Mandakini River|Mandakini]] and [[Alaknanda]] river valleys. It is located at an altitude of {{convert|3680|m|ft|abbr=on|0}}, and just below the peak of [[Chandrashila]].<ref>{{cite web|title= HT| date=2 May 2018| url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/dehradun/portals-of-tungnath-temple-thrown-open-for-devotees/story-i2tKqWsLxAuQOMfYBIRDxM.html}}</ref> It has a rich legend linked to the [[Pandavas]], heroes of the [[Mahabharata]] [[Indian epic poetry|epic]].<ref name=tung>{{Cite web|url=http://www.euttaranchal.com/tourism/adventure/chopta-tungnath-chandrashila.php|title= Chopta, Tungnath and Chandrashila|access-date=2009-07-11|publisher=euttaranchal}}</ref><ref name=baba>{{Cite book|author=Rajmani Tigunai|title= At the Eleventh Hour|access-date=2009-07-15 |work=Shrine of Tungnath|pages=93–94|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7zjavfN2XukC&q=Tungnath&pg=PA93|publisher= Himalayan Institute Press|year=2002|isbn= 9780893892128}}</ref> | |||
== | ==Legend== | ||
According to [[Hindu mythology]], Shiva and his wife, [[Parvati]] both reside in the Himalayas: Shiva resides at [[Mount Kailash]]. Parvati is also called [[Shailaputri]], which means 'Daughter of the Mountain'.<ref name=tung/> | |||
Many folk legends related to the Garhwal region, [[Shiva]] and the creation of the Panch Kedar temples are narrated in Hindu epic [[Mahabharata]]. The Pandavas defeated and slayed their cousins — the [[Kauravas]] in the epic [[Kurukshetra war]]. They wished to atone for the sins of committing [[fratricide]] (''[[gotra]] [[hatya]]'') and [[Brāhmanahatya]] (killing of [[Brahmin]]s — the priest class) during the war. Thus, they handed over the reins of their kingdom to their kin and left in search of [[Shiva]] and to seek his blessings. First, they went to the holy city of [[Varanasi]] (Kashi), believed to be Shiva's favourite city and known for its [[Kashi Vishwanath Temple]]. But, Shiva wanted to avoid them as he was deeply incensed by the death and dishonesty at the Kurukshetra war and was, therefore, insensitive to Pandavas' prayers. Therefore, he assumed the form of a bull ([[Nandi (bull)|Nandi]]) and hid in the [[Garhwal division|Garhwal region]]. It is believed to be 1000 years old and in the order of Panch Krdars, it is the tritiya Kedar.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tungnath |url=https://shrikedarnathcharitabletrust.uk.gov.in/Placestovisit/Tungnath |access-date=2024-10-27 |website=shrikedarnathcharitabletrust.uk.gov.in |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
As per the Hindu mythology, not finding Shiva in Varanasi, the Pandavas went to [[Garhwal Division|Garhwal]] [[Himalayas]]. [[Bhima]], the second of the five Pandava brothers, then standing astride two mountains started to look for Shiva. He saw a bull grazing near [[Guptakashi]] (“hidden Kashi” — the name derived from the hiding act of Shiva). Bhima immediately recognized the bull to be Shiva. Bhima caught hold of the bull by its tail and hind legs. But the bull-formed Shiva disappeared into the ground to later reappear in parts, with the hump raising in [[Kedarnath Temple|Kedarnath]], the arms appearing in Tungnath, the face showing up at [[Rudranath]], the nabhi (navel) and stomach surfacing in [[Madhyamaheshwar]] and the hair appearing in [[Kalpeshwar]]. The Pandavas pleased with this reappearance in five different forms, built temples at the five places for venerating and worshipping Shiva. The Pandavas were thus freed from their sins.<ref name=bisht>{{Cite book |author= Harshwanti Bisht |title= Tourism in Garhwal Himalaya|access-date=2009-07-05 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=6C6DGU73WzsC&dq=rudranath+-Capildeo&pg=PA84 |work=Panch Kedar|pages=84–86|publisher= Indus Publishing |year=1994 |isbn= 9788173870064}}</ref><ref name=travel>{{Cite web |url=http://traveluttarakhand.com/panchkedar.html#madhyamaheshwar#madhyamaheshwar |title=Panch Kedar Yatra |access-date=2009-07-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524085601/http://traveluttarakhand.com/panchkedar.html#madhyamaheshwar |archive-date=24 May 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=ecology>{{Cite book |author= Kapoor. A. K. |author2=Satwanti Kapoor |title= Ecology and man in the Himalayas |year=1994 |pages=250 |publisher= M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. |isbn=9788185880167}}</ref> | |||
== | A variant of the tale credits Bhima of not only catching the bull, but also stopping it from disappearing. Consequently, the bull was torn asunder into five parts and appeared at five locations in the [[Kedar Khand]] of Garhwal region of the Himalayas (The arms in Tungnath, the hump in Kedarnath, the face in Rudranath, the navel in Madhyamaheshwar, and the hair in Kalpeshwar).<ref name="raebaar">{{Cite web |last=Lingwal |first=Shardul |date=2024-05-03 |title=Tungnath Revealed: Hiking to the Heart of Himalayan Mystique |url=https://raebaar.com/tungnath-revealed-hiking-to-the-heart-of-himalayan-mystique/ |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=Raebaar}}</ref><ref name=travel/> After building the Panch Kedar Temples, the Pandavas meditated at Kedarnath for salvation, performed [[yagna]] (fire sacrifice) and then through the heavenly path called the Mahapanth (also called Swargarohini), attained heaven or salvation.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Issues and Analysis on Panch Kedar for State General Knowledge (GK) Preparation |url=https://abhipedia.abhimanu.com/Article/State/OTQyODIEEQQVV/Panch-Kedar-Uttarakhand |access-date=2024-04-30 |website=abhipedia.abhimanu.com |language=en-us}}</ref> The Panch Kedar Temples are constructed in the North-Indian Himalayan Temple "Katyuri" architecture with the Kedarnath, Tungnath and Madhyamaheshwar temples looking similar. | ||
Legend also states that [[Rama]], the central character of [[Ramayana]], meditated at the [[Chandrashila]] peak which is close to Tungnath, in India. It is also said that [[Ravana]] performed penance to Shiva, the lord of the peaks, when he resided here.<ref name="baba"/> | |||
== | ==Worship== | ||
The priest at this temple is a local [[Brahmin]] from Makkumath village, unlike the other Kedar temples where the priests are from [[South India]],<ref name=":0" /> a tradition set by the eighth century [[Hindu]] seer [[Adi Shankara]]. It is also said that the Maithani Brahmins of Makkumath Village officiate as priests at this temple. During the winter season, the temple is closed and the symbolic image of the deity and the temple priests are moved to Markandeshwar Temple in Makkumath village, which is 29km from here. It is near Duggalbitha {{convert|10|km|mi|abbr=on|0}} before [[Chopta]] towards Ukhimath.<ref name=title>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jyotirlinga.com/panchakedar.htm|title=Pancha Kedar|access-date=2009-07-15|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090831110615/http://www.jyotirlinga.com/panchakedar.htm|archive-date=31 August 2009|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://traveluttarakhand.com/panchkedar.html#madhyamaheshwar#madhyamaheshwar|title=Panch Kedar Yatra|access-date=2009-07-15|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524085601/http://traveluttarakhand.com/panchkedar.html#madhyamaheshwar|archive-date=24 May 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name =capil>{{Cite book|last=Jha|first=Makhan|title=India and Nepal|work= Sacred Complex in Garhwal Himalayas |page = 143|publisher= M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd|year=1998|isbn= 9788175330818}}</ref> | |||
==Geography== | |||
[[File:Himalaya, view from Tungnath, Uttarakhand.jpg|left|thumb|200px|View of the [[Himalaya]]s from Tungnath]] | |||
Tungnath is at the top of the ridge dividing the waters of the [[Mandakini River]] (raising from [[Kedarnath]]) from those of the [[Alaknanda River]] (raising above [[Badrinath]]). The Tungnath peak on this ridge is the source of three springs, which form the Akashkamini River. The temple lies about {{convert|2|km|mi|abbr=on|1}} below the [[Chandrashila]] Peak ({{convert|3680|m|ft|abbr=on|0}}). The road to [[Chopta]] is just below this ridge and hence provides the shortest bridle approach path for trekking to the temple from Chopta, over a short distance of about {{convert|5|km|mi|abbr=on|1}}. From the top of the [[Chandrashila]] peak, picturesque views of the Himalayan range comprising snow peaks of [[Nanda Devi]], [[Panch Chuli]], Banderpoonch, [[Kedarnath]], [[Chaukhamba]] and [[Neelkanth]] on one side, and the Garhwal valley on the opposite side could be witnessed. The valley between Chopta and Tunganath temple has wooded hills with rich alpine meadows with [[rhododendron]] coppices and also agricultural fields. The rhododendrons, when they are in full bloom during March, display dazzling colours ranging from crimson to pink. A high-altitude botanical station of the [[Garhwal University]] is located here. Nearing the top of the temple, there is a forest resthouse at Dugalibitta, just opposite to the Kedarnath range of hills. The [[Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary]], also called the Kedarnath Musk Deer Sanctuary, set up in 1972 to preserve the endangered [[musk deer]], which lies in the region, also has a musk deer breeding centre at Kharchula Kharak near [[Chopta]].<ref name=roma>{{Cite book|author= Roma Bradnock|title= Indian Himalaya handbook |work=The Panch Kedars|pages=114–115|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TyZGp_YVzb8C&q=Tungnath&pg=PA114|publisher= Footprint Travel Guides|year=2000|isbn= 9781900949798}}</ref><ref name=kumar>{{Cite book|author= Vishwambhar Prasad Sati |author2=Kamlesh Kumar |title= Uttaranchal: Dilemma Of Plenties And Scarcities |access-date=2009-07-15|work=Kedarnath|pages =202–204|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ct6YMRvYJQ4C&q=Tungnath&pg=PA203|publisher=Mittal Publications|year=2004|isbn= 9788170998983}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.euttaranchal.com/tourism/pilgrimage/tungnath.php|title=Panch Kedar-Tungnath|access-date=2008-10-17}}</ref><ref name=bill>{{Cite book|author= Bill Aitken|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XlxyJYAfz4gC&q=Panch+Kedar&pg=PA140 |title=Footloose in the Himalaya |work=Chapter 15:The best little Trek|pages=134–137|publisher= Orient Blackswan|year= 2003|isbn= 9788178240527}}</ref> | |||
== | == Climate == | ||
Climate is generally cool throughout the year. Summers are pleasant with average temperature hovering around 16 degrees Celsius during the day time. Winters are very chilly and temperature drops below the freezing point very frequently. The best time to visit the temple is from April to September. Due to heavy snowfall, the Tungnath Temple remains closed for around six months during winter.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uttarakhandtourism.gov.in/tungnath|title=Tungnath {{!}} Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board|website=uttarakhandtourism.gov.in|language=en|access-date=2018-08-15}}</ref> | |||
== | ==Trekking and access== | ||
{{Panch Kedar}} | |||
The {{convert|5|km|mi|abbr=on|1}} trek starts from [[Chopta]] ({{convert|9600|ft|m|abbr=on|0}}), the nearest place on the [[National Highway (India)|NH]] 58. [[Chopta]] is {{convert|23.9|km|mi|abbr=on|0}} from [[Rudraprayag]] towards [[Karnaprayag]] and is reached from Rishikesh via [[Devprayag]], [[Srinagar, Uttarakhand|Srinagar]] and [[Rudraprayag]]. | |||
== | Of all the Panch Kedar trek routes, the route to Tungnath is the shortest: only {{convert|5|km|mi|abbr=on|1}} from Chopta (on the [[Ukhimath]]-Gopeshwar road) that can be covered in approximately 4–5 hours (depending on the trekker's physical ability). Trek is a steep climb ({{convert|9600|-|11350|ft|m|abbr=on|0}}), the trek path is stone paved with benches provided en route at intervals.<ref name=roma/> The path is surrounded by scenic views and captivating flora and fauna on both sides. Generally, the pilgrimage to Tunganath is undertaken as part of the Panch Kedar trekking covering all five temples over a {{convert|170|km|mi|abbr=on|1}} route (road cum trek length) starting from [[Rishikesh]] in the order of: [[Kedarnath]], Tungnath, [[Rudranath]], Madhyamaheswar and [[Kalpeshwar]]. The few pilgrims who undertake this trekking pilgrimage to the shrine do so in summer months (end April or early May to October) as the temple remains snow bound and unapproachable. During this period even Chopta, the nearest road head remains deserted. But it is said that few [[adepts]] come to the area during the winter avoiding the pilgrims. The steep climb to Chandrashila is for {{convert|2|km|mi|abbr=on|1}}.<ref name=tung/><ref name=baba/><ref name=roma/> | ||
The nearest airport is Jolly Grant, [[Dehradun]] ({{convert|258|km|mi|abbr=on|0}}). The nearest railway station is at [[Rishikesh]] ({{convert|241|km|mi|abbr=on|0}}).<ref name="temple">{{cite web|url=http://www.badrinath-kedarnath.gov.in/content-kedar.aspx?id=35|title=Panch Kedar: Rudranath|year=2006|publisher=Shri Badrinath -Shri Kedarnath Temple Committee|access-date=2009-07-16|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721155527/http://www.badrinath-kedarnath.gov.in/content-kedar.aspx?id=35|archive-date=21 July 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref> | |||
=== Ravana Shila / Speaking Mountain === | |||
Ravana shila<ref>[https://www.uttrakhandhub.in/2018/11/tungnath-mandir-panchkedar.html Ravana shila]</ref> is located above the Tungnath temple, there is a small temple which is known as Chandra Shila. Ravana Shila or Speaking mountain has its own historical importance related to the [[Ramayana]]. After killing [[Ravana]], [[Rama]] was charged with the sin of Brahmahatya. He then started austerities for [[Shiva]] and requested Shiva to release him from the sin of killing a Brahmin (Ravana). During his penance, he built the [[Ramanathaswamy Temple]] in Rameshwaram, in [[Tamil Nadu]]. The temple in Rameshwaram is one of the 12 [[Jyotirlinga|Jyotirlingas]]. | |||
[[File:Tungnath Temple in winter.jpg|thumb|Tungnath Temple in winter]] | |||
==See also== | |||
*[[Hindu temple]] | |||
*[[Amarnath Temple]] | |||
*[[Pashupatinath Temple]] | |||
*[[Mandal, Uttarakhand|Mandal]] | |||
==References== | |||
{{reflist}} | |||
==External links== | |||
{{Commons category}} | |||
* [https://templeknowledge.com/about-tungnath-temple/ Tungnath temple] | |||
* [https://www.flickr.com/photos/nbg90455/sets/72157615623829424/detail/ Photos of Tungnath] | |||
{{Hindu temples in Uttarakhand}} | |||
{{Shaivism}} | |||
[[Category:Shiva temples in Uttarakhand]] | |||
[[Category:Panch Kedar]] | |||
[[Category:Chamoli district]] | |||
[[Category:Rudraprayag district]] | |||
[[Category:Hindu temples in Uttarakhand]] | |||