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Tungnath

Coordinates: 30°29′22″N 79°12′55″E / 30.48944°N 79.21528°E / 30.48944; 79.21528
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Tungnath
A view of the temples in Tungnath
A view of the temples in Tungnath
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictRudraprayag
DeityShiva
FestivalsMaha Shivaratri
Location
StateUttarakhand
CountryIndia
Tungnath is located in Uttarakhand
Tungnath
Location in Uttarakhand
Geographic coordinates30°29′22″N 79°12′55″E / 30.48944°N 79.21528°E / 30.48944; 79.21528
Architecture
TypeNorth-Indian Himalayan architecture
CreatorPandavas (according to legend)
CompletedUnknown
Elevation3,470 m (11,385 ft)

Tungnath (Sanskrit:तुंगनाथ) (IAST:tuņgnāth) is one of the highest Shiva temples in the world[1] and is the highest of the five Panch Kedar temples located in the Rudraprayag district, in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. The Tungnath (literal meaning: Lord of the peaks) mountains form the Mandakini and Alaknanda river valleys. It is located at an altitude of 3,470 m (11,385 ft), and just below the peak of Chandrashila.[2] and is the third(tritya Kedar) in the pecking order of the Panch Kedars. It has a rich legend linked to the Pandavas, heroes of the Mahabharata epic.[3][4]

Legend

According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva and his consort, Parvati both reside in the Himalayas: Lord Shiva resides at Mount Kailash. Parvati is also called Shailaputri, which means 'Daughter of the Mountain'.[3] Many folk legends related to the Garhwal region, Lord Shiva and the creation of the Panch Kedar temples are narrated.

A folk legend about Panch Kedar relates to the Pandavas, the heroes of the 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 Brahmins — the priest class) during the war. Thus, they handed over the reins of their kingdom to their kin and left in search of lord 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) and hid in the Garhwal region.

Not finding Shiva in Varanasi, the Pandavas went to 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, 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. It is also believed that the fore portions of Shiva appeared at Doleshwor Mahadeva Temple, Bhaktapur district Nepal.[5][6][7]

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.[6] 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.[citation needed]. The Panch Kedar Temples are constructed in the North-Indian Himalayan Temple architecture with the Kedarnath, Tungnath and Madhyamaheshwar temples looking similar.

After completing the pilgrimage of Lord Shiva's darshan at the Panch Kedar Temples, it is an unwritten religious rite to visit Lord Vishnu at the Badrinath Temple, as a final affirmatory proof by the devotee that he has sought blessings of Lord Shiva.[8]

Legend also states that Lord 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.[4]

Worship

The priest at this temple is a local Brahmin from Makku village, unlike the other Kedar temples where the priests are from South India, a tradition set by the eighth century Hindu seer Sankaracharya. It is also said that the Maithani Brahmins 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 Makkumath, which is 29km from here. It is near Duggalbitha 10 km (6 mi) before Chopta towards Ukhimath.[9][10][11]

Geography

View of the Himalayas 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 2 km (1.2 mi) below the Chandrashila Peak (3,690 m (12,106 ft)). 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 5 km (3.1 mi). 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 Wild Life 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.[12][13][14][15]

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 6 months during winter.[16]

Trekking and access

Panch Kedar
Kedarnath
Tungnath
Rudranath
Madhyamaheshwar
Kalpeshwar

The 5 km (3.1 mi) trek starts from Chopta (9,600 ft (2,926 m)), the nearest place on the NH 58. Chopta is 63 km (39 mi) from Rudraprayag towards Karnaprayag and is reached from Rishikesh via Devprayag, Srinagar and Rudraprayag.

Of all the Panch Kedar trek routes, the route to Tungnath is the shortest: only 5 km (3.1 mi) 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 (9,600–11,350 ft (2,926–3,459 m)), the trek path is stone paved with benches provided en route at intervals.[12] 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 170 km (105.6 mi) 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 Chandarshila is for 2 km (1.2 mi).[3][4][12]

The nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun (258 km (160 mi)). The nearest railway station is at Rishikesh (241 km (150 mi)).[17]

Ravana Shila / Speaking Mountain

Ravana shila is above from Tungnath temple, there is a small temple which is known as Chandra Shila. Ravana Shila or Speaking mountain have his own historical importance related to the Ramayana. After killing Ravana, Rama felt guilty for what he had done. He then started austerities for Lord Shiva and requested Shiva to release him from the guilt of killing Ravana. During his penance, he built the Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameshwaram, in Tamil Nadu. The temple in Rameshwaram is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas.

Tungnath Temple in winter

See also

References

  1. ^ Ayandrali Dutta (5 February 2018). "Tungnath: The Highest Shiva Temple". Magazine | RoundGlass. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  2. ^ "HT".
  3. ^ a b c "Chopta, Tungnath and Chandrashila". euttaranchal. Retrieved 11 July 2009.
  4. ^ a b c Rajmani Tigunai (2002). At the Eleventh Hour. Himalayan Institute Press. pp. 93–94. ISBN 9780893892128. Retrieved 15 July 2009. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference bisht was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ a b "Panch Kedar Yatra". Archived from the original on 24 May 2011. Retrieved 5 July 2009.
  7. ^ Kapoor. A. K.; Satwanti Kapoor (1994). Ecology and man in the Himalayas. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. p. 250. ISBN 9788185880167.
  8. ^ "Panch Kedar". Archived from the original on 31 August 2009. Retrieved 15 July 2009.
  9. ^ "Pancha Kedar". Archived from the original on 31 August 2009. Retrieved 15 July 2009.
  10. ^ "Panch Kedar Yatra". Archived from the original on 24 May 2011. Retrieved 15 July 2009.
  11. ^ Jha, Makhan (1998). India and Nepal. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. p. 143. ISBN 9788175330818. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  12. ^ a b c Roma Bradnock (2000). Indian Himalaya handbook. Footprint Travel Guides. pp. 114–115. ISBN 9781900949798. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  13. ^ Vishwambhar Prasad Sati; Kamlesh Kumar (2004). Uttaranchal: Dilemma Of Plenties And Scarcities. Mittal Publications. pp. 202–204. ISBN 9788170998983. Retrieved 15 July 2009. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  14. ^ "Panch Kedar-Tungnath". Retrieved 17 October 2008.
  15. ^ Bill Aitken (2003). Footloose in the Himalaya. Orient Blackswan. pp. 134–137. ISBN 9788178240527. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  16. ^ "Tungnath | Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board". uttarakhandtourism.gov.in. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  17. ^ "Panch Kedar: Rudranath". Shri Badrinath -Shri Kedarnath Temple Committee. 2006. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 16 July 2009.
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