Uttarakhand's Tungnath Temple, World's Highest Shiva Shrine, Tilts By 5-6 Degrees; ASI Probing Cause

The Tungnath temple, situated in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, is the highest Shiva Temple in the world. The Tungnath temple is located at an altitude of 12,800 feet and is the tallest among the five temples in Rudraprayag. However, a recent study conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has found that the temple has tilted by around five to six degrees and the idols within the complex have also tilted by 10 degrees which has raised concerns about its existence.

The authorities are looking into the cause of the tilt and have also not ruled out land subsidence as a factor. The ASI officials are also ascertaining the reasons for the sliding and subsidence of the lower part of the temple which might be the cause of its tilting. For now, the agency has fixed glass scales that can measure the movement on the walls of the main temple.

Manoj Kumar Saxena, the Superintendent Archaeologist of Dehradun Circle, has expressed grave concerns about the tilting of the temple which may cause problems in the future. The ASI will also find the root cause of the damage in case it can be repaired immediately. Along with this, complete data will be prepared after the inspection of the temple premises.

"First, we will find the root cause of the damage in case it can be repaired immediately. Besides, a detailed work programme will be prepared after a thorough inspection of the shrine," Saxena said as quoted by IANS.

Saxena further said that the government has started the process of declaring the Tungnath temple as a monument of national importance and issued a notification seeking objections from the public as a matter of procedure.

The Tungnath temple comes under Badri Kedar Mandir Committee like the Kedarnath Dham. Locals only worship in the Tungnath temple. However, priests are not appointed here by the Badri Kedar Temple Committee. To date, the management of this temple has been under the Badri Kedar Temple Committee and the local authorities.

The Tungnath temple is said to be the world's highest shrine of Lord Shiva, built in the 8th century by the Katyuri rulers. In Tungnath temple, Lord Shiva is worshipped as the third Kedar out of the Panch Kedars. This temple is a religious place as well as a beautiful tourist attraction where devotees and tourists throng throughout the year. Tungnath Dham is also a tourist destination which is known as 'Mini Switzerland'.