Context: On March 27, a notification was issued by the central government to declare the ancient Tungnath temple as a monument of national importance. 

• Tungnath temple, located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, is a significant pilgrimage site for Hindus. It is the third of the five Panchkedars of Uttarakhand.

Special Features of Tungnath Temple

• Tungnath Temple is situated at an altitude of 12800 feet.

• It is the only ancient ‘Shivalaya’ of its kind located at the highest point above sea level in Asia.

• It is one of the highest temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and is highest of the five Panch Kedar temples.

• It was built in the North Indian style of architecture and has a dozen shrines of other Gods surrounding the temple. 

• It is believed to have been discovered by Adi Sankacharya.

• Tungnath temple is located at the top of a ridge that separates the waters of the Mandakini River (originating from Kedarnath) from those of the Alaknanda River (originating above Badrinath). The peak of Tungnath on this ridge is the origin of three springs that together form the Akashkamini River. 

• Situated approximately 2 km (1.2 mi) below the Chandrashila Peak, the temple is surrounded by picturesque landscapes.

• It is believed that Lord Rama meditated on the Chandrashila peak around Tungnath.

• The temple is associated with the Panchkedar temples, which were built by the Pandavas.

• It is believed that the Pandavas were advised by sage Vyasa Rishi to worship Lord Shiva to forgive their sin of killing their cousin Kauravas during the war of Mahabharata.

What are Panch Kedars?

• Panch Kedar refers to a group of five sacred shrines of Lord Shiva located in the Garhwal Himalayas, Uttarakhand.

• They are the subject of many legends that directly link their creation to Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahabharata.

• The five temples are Kedarnath Temple, Tungnath Temple, Rudranath Temple, Madhyamaheshwar Temple or Madmaheshwar and the Kalpeshwar Temple.