Tungnath

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 the Mahabharata war, the Pandavas built this temple. Mahadev (Lord Shiva) became displeased with the Pandavas and took the form of Nandi (the bull) so that when the Pandavas came to meet him, they wouldn't recognize him. However, the second Pandava brother Bhima recognized him. Lord Shiva quickly took the form of Kedar in five different places. The arms of his body fell at this place 'Tungnath', the middle or stomach portion at Madhyamaheshwar, the face portion at Rudranath, the hump or back portion at Kedarnath, and the hair portion at Kalpeshwar, and temples were built at each of these places.

Location

To begin the Tungnath trek, you will need to reach Chopta from Rishikesh or Haridwar. Chopta is located 171 km from Rishikesh, which takes around 5-6 hours by car. Chopta is situated at an altitude of 8,888 feet in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. Chopta is the base for the popular Chandrashila and Chopta Tungnath treks.

Places of interest

While exploring the Tungnath Temple, you can also visit these places: • Chopta: It's called the 'Mini Switzerland of India', and since the Tungnath trek begins from here, make sure to explore it thoroughly.

• Chandrashila: By trekking 1.5 km further from Tungnath, you can reach Chandrashila Peak and witness breathtaking views of the majestic mountain peaks.

• Deoria Tal: From Tungnath, you can visit the serene Deoria Tal lake, located 25 km away, where the reflection of the Chaukhamba peaks in the lake's waters is a soul-soothing sight.

• Ukhimath: Ukhimath is the winter abode of Kedarnath, which is an extremely beautiful town.

• Rohini Bugyal: This beautiful meadow is nestled amidst the dense forests of Chopta Valley, making camping here an unforgettable experience.