CM Dhami Invites Devotees to Tungnath, Rudraprayag
Synopsis
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami on October 5, 2026 promoted the Tungnath Mahadev temple in Rudraprayag — one of the Panch Kedar shrines at 3,680 metres — calling it a destination of spiritual calm and a magnet for trekking enthusiasts.
Key Takeaways
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami posted an appeal on October 5, 2026 urging people visiting Rudraprayag to seek blessings at Tungnath Mahadev.
Tungnath is one of the Panch Kedar shrines and, at roughly 3,680 metres , is the highest Shiva temple in the world.
The temple is located in Rudraprayag district in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand.
CM Dhami highlighted the shrine's 'spiritual aura, natural beauty, and appeal for trekking enthusiasts.' The accessible Chopta-Tungnath trek of roughly 3.5 km one-way makes it one of the most popular high-altitude pilgrim treks in the region.
The pilgrimage and trekking season runs May to November , meaning the current window for a visit is narrow.
Nestled among towering Himalayan peaks in Rudraprayag district, the ancient Tungnath Mahadev temple — the highest Shiva shrine in the world and one of the revered Panch Kedars — is getting a personal endorsement from the top. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami took to X on Monday, October 5, 2026, urging devotees and travellers to visit Tungnath whenever they journey to Rudraprayag.
In his post, CM Dhami described the temple as dedicated to Lord Shiva and wrote: 'Apne Rudraprayag aagaman par Shri Tungnath Mahadev ke darshan avashya karein' — 'Whenever you visit Rudraprayag, do make it a point to seek the blessings of Shri Tungnath Mahadev.' He highlighted the shrine's 'extraordinary spiritual aura and natural beauty' that, he said, 'bestows a remarkable peace upon the mind.'
One shrine, five sacred peaks — the Panch Kedar circuit
Tungnath sits at an altitude of roughly 3,680 metres (12,073 feet) above sea level in the Garhwal Himalayas, making it the highest of the five Panch Kedar shrines. The circuit — Kedarnath, Tungnath, Rudranath, Madhyamaheshwar, and Kalpeshwar — is among Hinduism's most celebrated high-altitude pilgrimage routes, drawing devotees and trekkers from across the country every season between May and November before the temples close for winter.
A trek that doubles as pilgrimage
CM Dhami's post specifically flagged Tungnath as 'an attraction for trekking enthusiasts' — and for good reason. The trail from the base village of Chopta, often called the 'Switzerland of Uttarakhand,' winds through dense rhododendron forests and alpine meadows before opening onto commanding views of peaks including Nanda Devi, Kedarnath, and Chaukhamba. At roughly 3.5 kilometres one-way from Chopta, it is considered one of the most accessible high-altitude pilgrim treks in the Garhwal region.
The Chief Minister's appeal comes as Uttarakhand's tourism and pilgrimage season reaches its final stretch before the onset of winter, giving prospective visitors a narrow but vivid window to make the journey this year.
Point of View
And a Chief Minister's personal endorsement of a lesser-spotlighted shrine like Tungnath signals a deliberate effort to spread footfall beyond the headline Kedarnath route. Coming in early October, right at the tail of the pilgrimage season, the timing is calibrated: it nudges fence-sitters to book now rather than wait. The religious-tourism overlap — trekkers and pilgrims addressed in the same breath — reflects the state government's broader strategy of positioning Uttarakhand as a destination that works for both spiritual seekers and adventure travellers simultaneously.
NationPress
5 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tungnath temple and where is it located?
Tungnath Mahadev is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva situated in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, at an altitude of approximately 3,680 metres in the Garhwal Himalayas. It is one of the five Panch Kedar shrines and is considered the highest Shiva temple in the world.
Why did CM Dhami post about Tungnath in October 2026?
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami shared the post on October 5, 2026 to encourage pilgrims and tourists visiting Rudraprayag to include Tungnath Mahadev in their itinerary, highlighting its spiritual significance and natural beauty as the pilgrimage season nears its close.
What are the Panch Kedar shrines?
The Panch Kedar are five sacred shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva in the Garhwal Himalayas: Kedarnath, Tungnath, Rudranath, Madhyamaheshwar, and Kalpeshwar. Together they form one of Hinduism's most revered high-altitude pilgrimage circuits.
How do you reach Tungnath temple — is there a trek?
Tungnath temple is reached via a trek of roughly 3.5 kilometres from the base village of Chopta in Rudraprayag district. The trail passes through rhododendron forests and alpine meadows and is considered one of the most accessible high-altitude pilgrim treks in Uttarakhand.
When is the best time to visit Tungnath?
The Tungnath temple is open for pilgrims and trekkers between May and November each year, before the temple is closed due to winter snowfall. September and October offer clear skies and post-monsoon greenery, making them popular months for the trek.
