Everytime one visits the Himalayas the person sees something to be surprised. There is nothing as permanent in Nature there, even as the geophysical stats remain the same. Philosopher or poet travellers often used terms like “thinking mountains”, “sleeping forests”, “sunbathing bugyals”, “singing cascades”, “murmuring rivulets”, “whistling rivers”, “chirping birds”, “flowers making abstract paintings at the instance of the winds” and just about anything which would vibrate with their imagination and experience. The same is said about Tunganath Temple locales. At the highest of all Himalayan pilgrimage sites, Tunganath Temple locales exemplify why Nature here sent unbridled waves of imagination in the minds of visitors. Amid cascading temperate Alpine forests, tiny wild flowers of various hues and bugyals, Tunganath Temple site was generally not tampered by human whims.
Due to the height factor, pilgrims fail to reach in many numbers every year. That could have been the reason why the site still maintains its unsurpassable sanctity. According to general opinion, the entire journey to Tunganath Temple wends through some of the finest, exquisitely picturesque and easy trekking terrains of the mighty Himalayas.
The temple can be sighted soon after one treks about a few hundred yards, and thereafter the sight of the temple is the constant source of energy and vigour in pilgrims, who never feel the exertion. As was discussed earlier, Tunganath is the place where metamorphosed Lord Shiva’s arms had fallen after He was pulled by Bhim. These arms are worshipped in the temple.
The temple is strong, built of stone as if it signifies Lord Shiva’s anger at Pandavas’ fratricidal activities. The Shivling is also made of stone and not like other Kedars where the Shivling beautifully engraved in silver plates. Beside the Shivling, there are two statues, one of Maharshi Vyasa and another of Kalvairav. The entrance of the temple is low and small. It has Nandi in its front as if standing on guard of the honour of the Lord. There are also two small temples around. one dedicated to Parvati and to Kaalvairav.
Though going on pilgrimage to that height is always tempered by seasonal conditions, and the best times for visit have been prescribed as between May and June and September and October, yet devotees prefer to visit between September and October. Trekking route is not arduous. The resplendence of the vegetation amid huge pine trees and flushing meadows coloured by innumerable rare species of flora.
HOW TO REACH THE HEIGHTS
● By Air
Nearest airstrip is at Jolly Grant, Dehradun at 232 kms
● By Train
Rishikesh Railway Station. 215 kms
● By Road
From Rishikesh on Kund-Gopeshwar Road up to Chopta, 212 kms.
Trek the 3-km distance up the mountain to the temple from Chopta.
Return to Chopta for night’s rest.
Chopta can be approached also from Rudraprayag and Chamoli by motorised vehicles.
PLACES PILGRIMS MUST VISIT
● Dugalbitha, at a 7-km distance from Chopta. A picturesque spot. Travellers on government permits may aven get a guest house for a short-stay.
● Sari village, there is a 2-km ascension for a lead to beautiful natural lakes.
● Deoriya Tal, at a height of 8,000 ft, and at a distance of about 2 kms from Sari village. The lake is very beautiful and fit for photography, The reflection of mammoth Chaukhamba mountain turns this lake look awesome but very beautiful.
WHAT PILGRIMS AND TRAVELLERS MUST REMEMBER
● Altitude: 3.680 mtrs., the highest of all Pancha Kedar Temples
● Source: Akashkamini river
● Location: Chandrashila Mountain (4,090 mtrs.), one of the finest picturesque part of the Himalayas. About 30 kms from Ukhimath and 3.5 kms from Chopta. Overlooks the beautiful mountains – Panchchuli, Nanda Devi, nagiri,Neelkanthh and Bandarpunch range.
● Trekking: Time to reach Tunganath Temple from Chopta is ideally 3 to 4 hours. An easy trek, the travellers and pilgrims often take longer because they get awe-struck by the charm of the mountainous beauty. Countless species of wild flowers and plants, particularly the smiling rhododendrons in summer mesmerise pilgrims and travellers alike. Temperature: Always very cold. In winters, the temperature goes down to sub-zero level. The entire mountain becomes covered in snow
● Climate: It is mostly rainy and chilly, as Chopta is locally known to be the Cherapunji of Uttarakhand, as it receives constant rainfall in heavy showers, one reason for lush vegetation of this part of the Himalayas.
● Where to rest: In rest houses at Chopta, Ukhimath and Gopeshwar.
● Time to visit: Summer months from May to June and September to October.
