Tungnath Trek
Overview
Tungnath Trek :
Overview: Tungnath is one of the highest Shiva temples in the world, and is the highest of the five Panch Kedar temples located in the mountain range of Tunganath in Rudraprayag district. The Tunganath (literal meaning: Lord of the peaks) mountains form the Mandakini and Alaknanda river valleys. It is located at an altitude of 3,680 m (12,073 ft), and just below the peak of Chandrashila. The temple is believed to be more thatn 1000 years old and is the third (Tritiya Kedar) in the of the Panch Kedars. Other than being a religious destination, Tungnath is also a well known trekking destination. The 4 km (2.5 mi) trek starts from Chopta, the nearest place connected through motorable road. Chopta is 63 km from Rudraprayag towards Karnaprayag and is reached from Rishikesh via Devprayag, Srinagar and Rudraprayag
Historical Embodiment: There is a legend associated with Panch Kedar temple which sstates that sage Vyas Rishi advised the Pandavas to seek the forgiveness of Lord Shiva as they were responsible for the slaying of their own family and kin (Kauravas) during the war of Mahabharata. Acting on the advice of guru, the Pandavas went in search of Shiva who was avoiding them.In order to keep away from them; Shiva took the form of a bull and went into hiding in an underground safe haven at Guptakashi, where Pandavas chased him. But later Shiva’s body in the form of bull’s body parts rematerialized at five different locations that represent the “Panch Kedar” where Pandavas built temples of Lord Shiva at each location, to worship and venerate, seeking his pardon and blessings. Each one is identified with a part of his body; Tungnath is identified as the place where the bahu (hands) were seen: hump was seen at Kedarnath; head appeared at Rudranath; his navel and stomach surfaced at Madhyamaheshwar; and his jata (hair or locks) at Kalpeshwar.
Important Points
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Temperature | 14 ° C to -5 ° C |
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Maximum Altitude | 13,100 feet |
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Difficulty Level | Easy to Moderate |
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Railway Station | Haridwar, Rishikesh |
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Airport | Jolly Grant Airport |
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Base Camp | Sari Village |
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Terrain | Hilly and green covered meadows. |
What to Take
Itinerary
- From Haridwar to Sari village is a journey of 7-8 hours. The Alaknanda & Bhagirathi river will keep you company throughout, reaching you at Sari by 6:00 in the evening.
- The trek on the first day is easy with mixed ascent and descent. A well-defined rocky trail will show you to the end, from where the Chandrashila summit is clearly visible and the Tungnath temple is a speck of colour. After this point, it’s a steep uphill bend on the ridgeback of the mountain. Get ready for an acutely laborious climb, giving you the first taste of challenge. Soon, you will reach the Forest Department built a resting stop. Clocked timely by your Trek Leader, you can afford a 20 minutes break here. An excellent view of the way of the mountain fall waits here.
- A grand vista of Chaukhamba massifs is unveiled in the background of the lake. It will be evening by the time you reach the spot. Hot dinner on this day will be served on reaching our lakeside camp in Deoriatal.
- Today’s trail will familiarize you more with the Chaukhamba massif and Mount Kedar summit, rising closely as you process.
- The trail is sprinkled with little shrines that stand out in the greenness by the red and yellow flags tied on them.
- After crossing a clearing in the forest-lined with scarlet blossoms, we are directly ushered up an ascending path towards Rohini Bugyal and Chopta.
- The ascending trail gives way to level land and some leeway in the rigorous uphill hike. A resplendent view of the Chandrashila awaits on the other side of the forest margin.
- After the level-land, you will have to re-enter the forest now characterized by old oaks and maple beside the rhododendrons. This forms part of the Kedarnath Sanctuary, and with some luck, trekkers can spot red fox and other small wild things.
- We commence the hike today early morning. Starting in the wee hours of dark will let us have a beautiful sunrise experience from Tungnath top. The trek runs on a well-defined concrete-bound trail from Chopta to the temple.
- Today, the hike will be fraught with steep climbing challenges with sharp turns to cross by. There will be other shrines on the way, of which a particular temple with a flagpole is notable.
- This one comes after the 10th bend of the road and marks the opening of a splendid view of Chandrashila up ahead. From here, you will also get a clear vision of a connecting peak to Chandrashila. This one is named Ravanshila.
- In the winter, you will find snow from here. The 11th bend marks the entryway to Tungnath above which the splendid Chandrashila peak towers at 12, 083 ft. The route to the peak bends from behind the temple complex.
- At the end of a steep and arduous climb, the summit will be reached with a 360-degree view of the Garhwal and Kumaon mountains welcomingly lying ahead. Notable peaks in this panorama of grandeur are—Nanda Devi, Trishul, Nandaghunti, Dronagiri, Chaukhamba, and Kedar. Glimpses of the Thalaysagar and Gangotri ranges too could be made out at the edges.
- Drop Off Point- Haridwar Railway station(At around 6:30 PM)
- A ride back from the Chopta road head to Haridwar is scheduled for day 5. After this 7-hour journey full of mellow reminisces of the hills, you will be reaching Haridwar in the evening.
- An overnight journey to Delhi will hopefully work out best.
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- Explore mountain trails around Chopta with stunning views of the Ukhimath
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