| Char Dham Yatra – towards Badrinath, Day 43 |


Tungnath Temple

The Tungnath temple too like the 4 other Kedars, remains closed during winter. All prayers or worship are offered in the the Markandeya Mandir situated in the village of Makku during this season. Thereafter, the palanquin of Lord Tungnath is taken back on foot to Tungnath temple, amidst festivities. The ceremony of opening the doors of Tungnath temple is accompanied by traditional prayers and worship after which, the doors are opened. Tungnath is one amongst the temples situated on the heights of the Panchkedar range. Lord Shiva is worshipped as the 3rd Kedar, in this temple built of cut stone located between the Choupata and Chandrashila peaks, amidst the beautiful Himalayan meadows.

By altitude, it is the highest temple of Lord Shiva. The Purity and Divinity of this temple has to be seen and experienced, to be believed. The sight of this Divine temple nestled amidst snow covered mountains on all 4 sides, is an ethereal one to behold!

For the devotees who come here, it is an opportunity to not only have the Darshan of the Lord but to also experience the captivating beauty of Nature all around. It is completely true that beholding Nature is, by itself, the real Darshan of the Lord.

When you converse with Nature, it replies to you from within, because you yourself are also Nature. When you develop Love for the Nature outside, you experience that same Love awakening within. The reason for creating such a beautiful Nature is that you may Love Nature and, the experience of that Love is truly the experience of the beauty of Love within.

A climb of 2 kms from Tungnath temple  takes us to a place called Chandrashila.

(To be continued …)