Tungnath temple is located in the mountain range of Tunganath in the district of Rudraprayag in Tehri Garhwal region, in the state of Uttarakhand in north India. It is to be remembered that Tungnath temple is the highest Shiva temple in the world. It is the highest Panch Kedar temples. It is one of the five temples in the Panch Kedar.
According to the local legends, Tunganath literal meaning is Lord of the peaks. This mountain region comprises of the Mandakini and Alaknanda river valleys. It is situated at an altitude of 3,680 m (12,073 ft). It is just below the peak of Chandrashila. It is to be remembered it is the highest Hindu shrine that is largely dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is the second in the pecking order of the Panch Kedars. It is strongly believed to be 1000 years old and created by Pandavas.
As per Hindu mythology Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati both reside in the Himalayas: Parvati is known as Shail Putri which means ‘daughter of hills’ and Lord Shiva resides at Mount Kailash. It is also believed that Lord Rama meditated at the Chandrashila peak that is very close to Tungnath.
Ravana also penance to Lord Shiva, when he resided here. It is one of the most sought after temple by devotees and pilgrims of India and abroad. It can be reached by trekking from the head road. Shivarathri is celebrated in grand manner at this temple with the presence of large number of devotees and pilgrims.