Quick answer: Tungnath, the third of the Panch Kedar, stands at about 3,680 metres above Chopta in Rudraprayag district. The trek is 3.5 km one way on a paved path from Chopta (about 2,680 m) and takes most adults 2 to 3 hours up. Chandrashila summit is about 1.5 km further. The temple is open from about late April or May to early November; the best months are May–June and September–October.
Updated for the 2027 yatra season (facts checked October 2026)
Of all the high Shiva temples in Uttarakhand, Tungnath gives the most for the least effort. A short, paved climb from a road-head leads to one of the highest Shiva temples in the world, with the Chaukhamba, Kedar and Nanda Devi ranges around you. Add the summit of Chandrashila and you have one of the finest mountain views in Garhwal. This guide covers the climb, the darshan, Chandrashila, dates, how to reach Chopta, and how to plan it with Kedarnath or Badrinath.
Tungnath at a glance
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Deity | Lord Shiva; the arms (bahu) of Shiva are worshipped here |
| Place in Panch Kedar | Third Kedar |
| Altitude | About 3,680 m (temple committee figure) |
| Trek start | Chopta, about 2,680 m, on the Ukhimath–Gopeshwar road |
| Trek distance | 3.5 km one way to the temple; about 5 km to Chandrashila |
| Time | 2 to 3 hours up, 1 to 1.5 hours down (temple only) |
| Difficulty | Easy to moderate; steady and steep in places, fully paved |
| Season | About late April or May to early November |
| Winter seat | Markandeya temple, Makkumath |
The story of Tungnath
According to the Panch Kedar tradition, when Lord Shiva in the form of a bull sank into the earth to avoid the Pandavas, his arms appeared at Tungnath. The Pandavas are believed to have built the first temple here. “Tunga” means peak, and Tungnath is often called the lord of the peaks. Local tradition also connects the Chandrashila summit with Lord Rama, who is said to have meditated there, and with the moon god Chandra, who did penance there.
Unlike Kedarnath and Badrinath, where the priests come from South India, puja at Tungnath is performed by local Brahmin families of Makku village, who also take the doli down to Makkumath for the winter.
When is Tungnath open?
The opening date is fixed each spring, and the temple closes in early November, a few days before Kedarnath. In 2026 the kapat were reported to have opened on 22 April, after the doli left Makkumath on 20 April, and the closing was reported for early November. The 2027 dates are not yet announced; they are usually declared around Baisakhi.
When the temple is closed, the deity is worshipped at the Markandeya temple in Makkumath. In winter the trail and Chopta are often under snow from about December to March, and the road to Chopta can be blocked after heavy snowfall.
How to reach Chopta
| From | Distance by road (approx.) | Time (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Rishikesh | about 200 km | 6 to 7 hours |
| Haridwar | about 225 km | 7 to 8 hours |
| Dehradun | about 245 km | 7 to 9 hours |
| Ukhimath | about 30 km | 1 to 1.5 hours |
The usual route is Rishikesh, Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Ukhimath, Chopta. You can also come from the Badrinath side via Gopeshwar and Mandal. The last fuel and reliable ATMs are at Rudraprayag and Ukhimath. Avoid driving the Ukhimath–Chopta road after dark, when mist and, in colder months, black ice are a risk.
The Tungnath trek, step by step
- Start at Chopta. The gate is beside the road, near the tea stalls. Start by 7 or 8 am in summer, earlier if you want Chandrashila at sunrise.
- First kilometre. The paved path climbs through rhododendron and oak forest, then comes out onto open meadows (bugyals). Take it slowly; this is where people start too fast.
- The middle section. A series of wide zigzags across the grassy slopes, with benches and tea stalls at intervals. The Chaukhamba massif comes into view to the north on a clear day.
- The last stretch. Steeper, with the temple appearing above you. At about 3,500 metres and above you will notice the thinner air; stop for breath as often as you need.
- The temple. A compact stone temple in the Nagara style, with smaller shrines around it, including one to Parvati. Darshan is usually quick outside the busiest weekends.
Ponies are sometimes available at Chopta for part of the way; check locally on the day, and walk the final part to the temple.
Chandrashila: the summit above Tungnath
From the temple, a narrower, steeper path climbs about 1.5 km to the summit of Chandrashila, where there is a small shrine. On a clear morning the view takes in Nanda Devi, Trishul, Chaukhamba, Kedar peak and Bandarpunch. Published heights for the summit vary, from about 3,700 to 4,000 metres, but the climb from the temple is short and stiff.
- Time: about 45 minutes to an hour from the temple for most fit walkers.
- Who should go: fit yatris with good shoes. The path is rocky and can be icy early and late in the season. Skip it in rain, fog or strong wind.
- Sunrise: many people start from Chopta in the dark to reach the summit at sunrise. If you do, carry a headlamp and warm layers, go with a local guide, and never go alone.
Tungnath trek difficulty: who can do it?
The Tungnath climb is the easiest of the Panch Kedar treks that involve real walking. The path is paved all the way and only 3.5 km long. But it gains about 1,000 metres, so it is steep and the altitude is real. Healthy adults and active seniors usually manage it at their own pace. People with heart or breathing problems should ask their doctor first, because the climb is continuous and there is limited medical help at Chopta.
| Option | Distance from Chopta | Time up and down (approx.) | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tungnath temple only | 3.5 km one way | 3.5 to 4.5 hours | Most healthy adults and active seniors |
| Tungnath and Chandrashila | About 5 km one way | 5 to 6 hours | Fit walkers in good weather |
| Deoria Tal, Tungnath and Chandrashila | Separate day from Sari | Two or three days in all | Trekking families with time |
Best time for the Tungnath yatra
- Late April to June: temple open, mild days, rhododendrons in bloom in spring, cold nights at Chopta.
- July and August: monsoon. The paved trail is fine, but views are mostly clouded and roads can be blocked by landslides.
- September to October: the clearest views of the year, crisp air, fewer people. Our favourite window.
- November to April: temple closed after early November. Chopta and the trail are often snowbound in winter; the climb then is a snow walk, not a darshan yatra.
Deoria Tal: an easy addition
Deoria Tal is a small lake at about 2,440 metres above Sari village, about 14 km from Ukhimath. A paved path of about 2.5 km climbs to it in an hour to an hour and a half. On still mornings, the Chaukhamba peaks reflect in the water. Many families spend a night at Sari, walk to Deoria Tal in the morning, and drive on to Chopta for Tungnath the next day.
Where to stay
Chopta has simple guesthouses and camps, many running on solar power, with limited hot water. Families who prefer more comfort stay at Ukhimath or Guptkashi and drive up early. Mobile network and digital payments are unreliable at Chopta, so carry cash and a power bank.
Combining Tungnath with Kedarnath or Badrinath
Chopta sits between the Mandakini and Alaknanda valleys, which makes Tungnath an easy addition to a Kedarnath or Do Dham yatra. A common plan is Kedarnath first, a night at Guptkashi, then Ukhimath and Chopta for Tungnath, before continuing via Gopeshwar towards Badrinath or returning to Haridwar. For the full Panch Kedar picture, see our Panch Kedar trek guide, and for the Kedarnath walk, our Kedarnath trek route.
What to carry
- Warm jacket, cap and gloves, even in summer; wind at the temple is cold
- Rain jacket from June to September
- Walking shoes with good grip; walking poles help on the descent
- Water, dry fruits and your regular medicines
- Headlamp if you plan a sunrise climb
- Cash, since UPI and cards often fail at Chopta
What we arrange
Our Kedarnath Tungnath Yatra is 5 days and 4 nights from Haridwar, from ₹25,000 per person, with a night at Kedarnath and the Tungnath climb from Chopta on day four; fit yatris can continue to Chandrashila. Tungnath is also part of our 13-day Panch Kedar Yatra, which includes a trek guide. Browse all Panch Kedar yatras, or read in Hindi on our पंच केदार यात्रा page. For dates and a plan for your family, use the enquiry form on this page or call/WhatsApp us (numbers on our Contact page).
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Tungnath trek?
About 3.5 km one way from Chopta to the temple, on a paved path. It climbs roughly 1,000 metres, so it is steep in places. Most adults take 2 to 3 hours up and 1 to 1.5 hours down. Chandrashila summit is about 1.5 km beyond the temple, making about 5 km one way from Chopta.
Is the Tungnath trek difficult?
It is easy to moderate. The path is paved and short, but continuously uphill at altitude, so you will breathe hard. Walk slowly, rest often and it is manageable for most healthy adults and active seniors. The extension to Chandrashila is rockier and steeper, and suits fitter walkers in good weather.
When does Tungnath temple open and close?
Tungnath usually opens in late April or early May and closes in early November. In 2026 the kapat were reported to have opened on 22 April. The 2027 dates have not been announced. In winter the deity is worshipped at the Markandeya temple in Makkumath.
Can we do Tungnath and Chandrashila in one day?
Yes. From Chopta, the temple and summit together are about 5 km one way. Fit walkers usually finish the round in 5 to 6 hours. Start early, because clouds often build by late morning, and skip the summit in rain, fog or strong wind.
Can we visit Tungnath in winter?
The temple is closed in winter, roughly from early November to late April, and the deity is at Makkumath. Chopta and the trail are often under snow from about December to March, and the road can be blocked after heavy snowfall. A winter snow walk is possible with a local guide, but darshan is only at Makkumath.
How far is Chopta from Rishikesh?
About 200 km by road via Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag and Ukhimath, which takes 6 to 7 hours. From Ukhimath it is about 30 km, around an hour to an hour and a half. The last reliable fuel and ATMs are at Rudraprayag and Ukhimath.
Is Tungnath the highest Shiva temple in the world?
Tungnath, at about 3,680 metres, is widely described as one of the highest Shiva temples in the world and the highest of the Panch Kedar. Different sources word this differently, but it is certainly among the highest Shiva temples where regular puja takes place.