Visit to the Highest Shiva Temple in the World - Tungnath Mahadev

Today we are going to give you complete information about the journey of Tungnath Mahadev (the world's highest permanent Shiva temple) situated at a height of 3460 meters in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, one of the Panch Kedar. How did you come here, where did you stay, how much does the journey cost, as well as if you are going to Tungnath after having darshan of Baba Kedarnath, then how will you go and at least how much it will cost, you will give complete information.

Which is the Best Season to Visit Tungnath Temple?

Friends, let me tell you that the travel route is open throughout the year. But you can visit the temple only in the middle of May to October. After this, the doors of the temple remain closed from November to April. During this, one can come here and do winter trekking and can get the darshan of the temple from outside. That's why let me tell you if you are coming for darshan then you should come between June to October and yes you can reach here even after Kedarnath Yatra.

Best Way to Get Here

First of all let's talk about the train – so its nearest railway station is Rishikesh. But friends, to come here, you can also reach Haridwar or Dehradun railway station located in Uttarakhand from any part of India. Because trains from most states of India come to Dehradun or Haridwar only. Let us tell you that to reach Tungnath, from all these three stations, you have to reach Chopta located in Uttarakhand by Via Road taxi or bus. You will be able to get the darshan of Tungnath Mahadev after doing a trek of 04 kms ahead of Chopta. Friends, the distance from Haridwar to Chopta is about 185 kms. Whereas the distance of Chopta from Rishikesh is about 165 kms.

Now let's talk about the airport, its nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport, which is located in Dehradun. Even after reaching here, you will have to reach Chopta by road by taxi or bus.

And even if you are coming by your personal vehicle, you will have to reach Chopta via Haridwar, Rishikesh, Devprayag, and Ukhimath. From here onwards you will have to trek for about 04 kms.

Route Map from Haridwar/Rishikesh/Dehradun

Friends, first of all talk about buses, then you get buses from Haridwar, Rishikesh to Chopta from 04 am to late evening. But in my opinion, you should leave early in the morning between 04 to 06, because during this time you will get direct buses and this journey takes about 8 to 9 hours. Buses do not drop you from Chopta directly from Haridwar, Rishikesh, leave Ukhimath, and from Ukhimath you have to reach Chopta by sharing taxi. Let us tell you, buses do not ply on the Ukhimath to Chopta route. The bus fare from Haridwar, Rishikesh to Ukhimath is 320 to 350 rupees. And the sharing taxi fare from Ukhimath to Chopta is Rs 100 per person. You can get bus tickets directly from the counter at the bus stand or by boarding the bus. Friends, if you do not get a direct bus to Ukhimath, then you can reach Ukhimath via Haridwar, Rishikesh, Rudraprayag and Kund, and from there to Chopta.

Friends, now let's talk about taxis, then let me tell you – the fare of full book taxi from Haridwar or Rishikesh to Ukhimath is between 3500 to 4000 one-way. And the full book taxi fare from Ukhimath to Chopta is 1000 to 1200 rupees.

If you are Going from Kedarnath to Tungnath

You will have to change 01 to 02 times from Kedarnath to Tungnath by both bus and taxi means. Friends, the distance from Kedarnath to Tungnath is about 88 kms. One has to reach Chopta from Sonprayag via Guptkashi, Ukhimath. In this journey, it will take you 02 to 03 hours to reach Chopta and then 02 to 03 hours trek from Chopta to reach Tungnath.

Trekking from Kedarnath and back to Sonprayag, you will get a direct bus from Sonprayag to Guptkashi which is only 30 km. Friends, on this route you will get buses throughout the day. But in my opinion you catch the first bus from Sonprayag in the morning which will reach you at 6 am. Whose rent is 80 per person.

From Guptkashi you have to travel further by sharing taxi. Sharing taxi will drop you directly from Guptkashi to Ukhimath at a fare of Rs.200 per person. After this you can reach Chopta from Ukhimath by sharing taxi by spending 100 rupees per person. Friends, let me tell you if your budget is more or you are 04 to 05 people then you can go directly from Guptkashi to Chopta by booking full taxi for 2000 rupees.

What is the fare of Pony/Horses?

The horse fare from Chopta to the temple is around Rs 800 one way. If you just want to carry your bag on Pittu, you can also do it.

Where You Stay at Tungnath?

You will find homestays and hotels near the gate of the track in Chopta. Whose fare ranges from Rs 500 to Rs 1000. Apart from this, you will find homestays just near the temple above. But depends when you are leaving. Friends, homestays around the temple are available only during summer from June to October. Because after this, as soon as the doors of the temple are closed due to snow, all the people around also come down after closing the homestays and shops. Friends, let me tell you that winter trekking here is very famous. Many people come here in winter.

If you are coming from May to October, then you can directly reach Chopta, start your trekking from there. And in my opinion, you should not stay at Chopta below, stay with homestays above the temple, there are many homestays around the temple. Which you will get in 600 to 1000. Stay here, attend the evening aarti of Tungnath Mahadev and get up early in the morning and leave for Chandrasheela the next day. Sunrise of Chandrasheela is very different. Friends, along with this, let me tell you that these homestays make you delicious on the stove and serve you some Pahari dishes, which do not forget to enjoy at all.

Trek Guide to Tungnath

The foot track starts from Chopta, from here you have to trek about 04 kms to reach Tungnath Mahadev. Friends, apart from this, let me tell you that by trekking only 02 km from Tungnath temple, you can also go to Chandrasheela Peak. Watching the sunrise from here is amazing in itself. Friends, the sunrise here is very famous. Reaching Chandrasheela, you can visit the Ganga Dham temple, which is built on the peak itself. Friends, if we talk about the trek from Chopta to Tungnath, then this trek is quite beautiful. It will take you 2 to 3 hours to do this 04 km trek and about 01 hour to go from Tungnath to Chandrasheela. Friends, between the trek from this Chopta to the temple, you will get 01 or 02 shops of tea, biscuits Maggi only between June and October. During winter, you bring biscuits, chocolate, water from Chopta itself. Can't find anything above.

Tungnath Visit in Winter (December - March)

Most of the people who come for winter trekking stay in Chopta or Ukhimath from Chopta. In winter, you should start the trek early in the morning, so that you can trek straight for 06 kms to reach Chandrasheela Peak and cover the wonderful sunrise in your memories. After that you can get down after having darshan of Tungnath Mahadev in return. Friends, but if there is more snow in winter trekking then you have to take a guide from below. Either you are coming by booking a tour from a trekker company, then their guide takes you upstairs.