Travel/Tour
Experience the Winter Charm of Tungnath Temple Covered in Snow
One of the highest Shiva temples in the world, Tungnath Temple is also considered the highest of the Panch Kedar temples (Kedarnath, Tungnath, Rudranath, Madhyamaheshwar and Kalpeshwar – the five temples that make up the Panch Kedar temples). At an elevation of 3650 m, the peak stands like a sheet of snow on a bed of rocky surface and indescribable beauty.
This trek can be undertaken by first-timers as well, as it is considered an easy trek. One can either take the prescribed route or take the steep stone road for a more adventurous experience. Both are in the same direction. It’s just that with snow, you can take fun shortcuts with icy grip.
The Most Important Winter Tips for Tungnath Temple Trek
Wear enough padding to keep yourself warm and durable (I didn’t, so the fierce snowstorms caused me quite a lot of damage).
Carry a steel water bottle with you that you can refill. Please don’t buy plastic bottles.
Make sure your shoes are suitable for snow-covered paths and can provide a firm grip to the foot (I eventually did some, but my socks were too small).
This was my first snow-trek, so I felt a bit disoriented in the beginning. But with the help of a fellow trekker, it turned out to be one of the most beautiful adventures I have ever had. The journey that I started alone ended with sixteen (ten trekkers joined by another solo-traveler-blogger-trek-guide).
The peak is crowned by the grandeur of architecture, the Tungnath Temple, whose yellow gate is adorned with red-yellow-white-blue edges. There is an extraordinary sense of harmony among the men meditating around the temple despite the seasoned crowd.
How I reached Chopta for Tungnath Temple Trek
Before we get to know about the snow storm on the Chopta-Tungnath-Chandrashila Trek, let’s see how I actually reached Chopta!
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Local bus ride from Srinagar
How did I reach Chopta for Tungnath Temple Trek? Putting away my 70-litre backpack at Toli village and exploring Garhwal with my beloved kamarbandh taught me one thing – my summer needs can be confined to the kamarbandh. It’s light, it’s convenient, it’s hitchhiking friendly, especially because I love exploring a place on foot.
It takes a lot of time to come down from Toli. So instead of hitchhiking, I decided to take a local bus from Srinagar to Rudraprayag. Passing the Dhari Devi temple and along the mud-coloured river, the sudden change in the surroundings made me feel like a ruined photo. After the landslide and rock fall area, the landscape suddenly changes and bare mountains and dry formations with minimal trees appear. The mountains change their clothes and aura. Maybe they were connecting with the calm water.
As soon as I landed in Rudraprayag, I saw a monkey stealing a bunch of bananas from a local shop. Monkeys are everywhere in Rudraprayag. On the roof, on the wires, even in the drains.
Koteshwar Mahadev Bathing Ghat – A stopover before Tungnath Temple Trek
A quick bath at the bathing ghat in Rudraprayag can be a good detour before trekking to Tungnath Temple. Koteshwar is a small town at an hour’s walk (3 km) from Rudraprayag, which is mostly famous among people for the pilgrimage to the Koteshwar Mahadev Temple and the adjoining Koteshwar Mahadev bathing ghat. According to mythology Lord Shiva meditated at the Koteshwar temple while on his way to Kedarnath.
You have to climb down a number of steps from the main gate to reach the temple and the ghat. Colourful depictions of ancient yatras (Kedar Dham, Nanda Devi and others) are etched on the sidewalls. Again monkeys are everywhere.
The calm mud coloured water at the bathing ghat was not leaving me behind. Huge structures all around and pieces of wood lying in the water - you can sit in the stillness forever.
Taking a ride in Rudraprayag
14km from Koteshwar is Chopta. Apparently, there are two Chopatas in Rudraprayag district. The one I am talking about is not the one famous as the base of the Tungnath-Chandrashila Trek. It is a small cluster on a mountain on the way to Koteshwar. I took a bike ride and halfway I realised I was headed to the wrong Chopta. Then I had to take two more rides to reach the centre of Rudraprayag. After confirming the road to the 'real' Chopta, I had to stand by the side of the road for an hour to get a ride honestly, but no vehicle was willing to take me.
Since we are on the topic, booked jeeps go to Chopta from Rudraprayag. There are plenty of jeeps parked near the pool.
Speaking of hitchhiking, I did not get any ride that day. The last vessel to help me was again the local bus. From Rudraprayag, regular buses run to Ukhimath, a quaint town where I set foot at sunset.
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Spending the Night at Ukhimath
I would say Ukhimath was my last stop before Chopta. Ukhimath is located at an altitude of 1311 m and is 41 km from the town of Rudraprayag. The Omkareshwar temple is the most revered site here, as the idol of Kedarnath Temple is brought from Kedarnath to be placed in this temple at Ukhimath.
Since the hostel was already full, I spent the night at a roadside rest house for Rs 1200. The view from the balcony looked like a live picture, with the lights blinking occasionally. It remained like this till 7 am.
Chopta: The Base of Tungnath Temple Trek
Chopta, a part of the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, is located at an altitude of 2609 m. It is also the base of the trek. The distance from Ukhimath is 29 km. Chopta is easily accessible from the Rishikesh-Devprayag-Kund-Ukhimath route. It is called 'Mini Switzerland of India' among tourists, but it has nothing to do with Switzerland. The combination of high-altitude roads and snow-laden meadows and footpaths can only be Chopta, not Switzerland or any other place.
Only booked jeeps go from Ukhimath to Chopta. Shared jeeps or local buses are not available. At 7:30 am, I got a lucky ride in a car (four tourists from Delhi were also going to Chopta), had a roadside paratha breakfast and was accompanied by them all the way. That is the beauty of hitchhiking. You meet people from every corner.
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Tips of the trade for Tungnath Trek
Anything is possible. Anything can happen in the mountains. What is considered an easy trek can be turned into an awesome experience.
The basis of travel is to understand the self that is otherwise hidden. How you behave in an extreme situation cannot be taught through Discovery Channel. You live the experience, you feel vulnerable, you learn and you accept it proudly.
Physical pain is not just about the feeling of fear. While I had no fear of the storm on the trek, the physical pain was more than anything normal. The thought of death or any kind of catastrophe did not even cross my mind, because I was in so much physical pain.
And most importantly, always go prepared. Don’t go on a snow-trek wearing woolen bottoms, as I did (a local in Ukhimath told me there would be no snow on the trek).
Is a guide required for the Tungnath trek?
Absolutely not. It is one of the most frequented trails in Uttarakhand, which is the only reason why it is always crowded in every season (except monsoon, of course). You will find yourself in the company of hundreds of people walking the trail every day. You can’t get lost even if you want to. There is no other way to go!
How difficult is the Tungnath Temple trek?
Tungnath Temple is considered a trek for beginners. Grade-wise it is considered easy. But, of course, you need a basic level of fitness to do the hike.
Deoria Tal – A Companion
Deoria Tal is a lake in the lap of a mountain at an altitude of 2440 m. The base of the trek is Sari village, from where you can completely depend on your feet for the next 2.6 km. Deoria Tal is famous for its 300° panoramic view, although the view was blurry when I went there.
Both Chandrashila and Deoria Tal treks are done on consecutive days. Deoria Tal can be a good addition to Tungnath Temple for the next day. But they are different hikes.
This trek is a series of stairs climbing up the mountain, which are properly marked all along the way. There are maggie points and campsites along the way. The climb is easy but requires strength which can be easily supplemented with Buransh juice available from local shops.
How to reach Chopta, Rudraprayag
By Bus: Direct buses are easily available from Rishikesh, Devprayag, Srinagar or any other city to Rudraprayag. The fare from Srinagar to Rudraprayag is Rs 70. Chopta can be reached directly from Rudraprayag in a shared jeep. Or else, take a local bus from Rudraprayag to Ukhimath (Rs 90) and a booked jeep from Ukhimath to Chopta (Rs 2000-2500). And then go for the trek.
By Train: The nearest railway station is Dehradun Railway Station. Follow the bus route mentioned above to reach Chopta.
By Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun. Follow the bus route mentioned above to reach Chopta.
There are plenty of homestays available near the main town of Rudraprayag and the base of the Tungnath Trek. It is not necessary to reserve hotel rooms in advance.
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