Hello readers,
I am Shivi Joshi from Dehradun. I want to share my amazing experience of visiting Tungnath temple. Before starting to share all the details of the trips I would love to share a piece of information -Tungnath peacefully decked on the Chandranath Parvat is the most elevated Shiva temple in the world and the highest Panch Kedar temple of Uttarakhand. In the Panch Kedar hierarchy, it is ranked third (Tritiya Kedar). With its 3,680 meters above sea level location, Tungnath is thought to be older than 1,000 years.
With a group of friends, I started my 3-day journey to Tungnath temple by road from Dehradun and departed early in the morning, aiming to reach Ukhimath in one go. It took us about 7-8 hours to reach Ukhimath, and we were lucky to find a place with an excellent wifi network – Sari Village in Ukhimath.
Route from Dehradun to Tungnath Temple
Starting the trip from Dehradun to Tungnath Temple is a beautiful and spiritually enlightening journey. The journey starts in Dehradun, a city nestled away in the Himalayan foothills. From there, the route flows through the holy town of Rishikesh, which is well-known for the Ganges River and its spiritual significance.
The pilgrimage route continues to Srinagar, with a detour to the scenic village of Rudraprayag en route. After there, the route leads to Ukhimath, a serene location amidst the area’s scenic splendor.
The last part of the journey entails arriving in Chopta, which is where the journey to Tungnath Temple begins.
Accommodation updates:
Our pre-booked Airbnb in Sari Village, which has “Welcoming Hill Cottages with attic bedroom,” provided a breathtaking view of snow-covered mountains and reliable internet. It was ideal for remote work. In this cottage, 4 to 5 people can sleep in one room, with extra bedding available if necessary. We also had the convenience of nearby restaurants for tasty meals. The cost was around 3500 rupees per night, making it a reasonable choice when divided among the group.
Hidden Gem in Ukhimath
- The Deoria Taal Trek is a stunning trek that begins with a temple and ends with a pond at the top that reflects the snow-capped mountain peaks, providing a breathtaking panorama that you won’t soon forget.
- The Omkareshwar Temple is the home of Lord Kedarnath and Madhyamaheshwar during winter. It is also a must-visit and you can visit it while returning from your journey from Tungnath temple.
Temple Trek Begins
The next morning, we set off early from our Airbnb in Sari Village towards Chopta, marking the beginning of our Tungnath Temple trek. It took us approximately 2 hours to reach Chopta, where public washrooms and roadside dhabas/restaurants were available for a hearty breakfast before commencing the trek. The trek itself begins from Chopta.
Tip for Travelers :
- It’s suggested to rent walking sticks from roadside shops for just 25 rupees each. They’re really helpful during the trek, and when you return them safely, you’ll get half of the money back.
- You can park your vehicle on the road where there’s parking space available and start your trek. You’ll find food stalls along the way, and they offer reasonably priced food.
- Around 3-4 pm, you can start heading down and reach Chopta in about 2 hours, depending on how fast you walk. After that, return to Ukhimath to spend the night.
- When packing for your journey to Tungnath, consider the weather conditions of the month you plan to travel in. Essential clothing items include raincoats, warm clothes, jackets, caps, and sturdy trekking shoes.
Total Trip Expenses for Dehradhun to Tungnath :
As we were a group of 4 friends the total cost for the trip was Rs.7,000 for which we rented a taxi for the entire 3-day duration covering petrol and the driver’s food expenses. However, local transport options such as shared taxis and buses are also available, offering a more budget-friendly mode of travel. You can find shared taxis and buses from Dehradun to Rishikesh and Rudraprayag, and then another bus or shared taxi to Ukhimath.
Best Time to visit Tungnath
The best months to visit Tungnath are April through November. The town is in full bloom in the summer, and the air is fresh and clean. Rhododendron, pine, and deodar blanket the peaks in a verdant carpet. Avoiding the area is advised since it becomes vulnerable to landslides during the monsoon.
While the temperature was relatively normal until Rudraprayag, it dropped significantly in Ukhimath due to rain. We took out sweaters and caps since the temperature dropped. So be prepared for any kind of weather because as you will gain height in the mountain, evenings and nights will get chilly.
I hope this will enable you to better plan your travel and have a fantastic trek to Tungnath Temple.
HAR HAR MAHADEV !!!
