Best Time To Visit Tungnath Temple: Guide For 2026

Hi I am Muskan, I visited Tungnath Temple on 1st August, during the rainy season. I chose this time because I prefer peaceful mountains over crowded ones — even if it means spending extra days due to the weather. But everyone has different travel preferences. So, let’s discuss the weather, temperature, and pros & cons of each season, so you can decide which time suits your Tungnath trip the best.

About Tungnath Temple

Tungnath is a revered and the world’s highest  Shiva temple, located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand at an elevation of 3,680 meters above sea level. It is surrounded by the majestic Himalayan peaks, deodar forests, and lush meadows, and it is part of the Panch Kedar (Kedarnath, Tungnath, Rudranath, Madhyamaheshwar, and Kalpeshwar) pilgrimage circuits. The temple holds great mythological significance in Hinduism; it was built by the Pandavas and revived by Adi Shankaracharya. Tung Nath remains open for six months a year, and it gets closed during the winter due to harsh weather and heavy snow.  It is accessible by a moderately easy trek, which starts from Chopta Bugyal.

The best time to visit Tungnath is an important consideration for pilgrims , as it is crucial for safety and accessibility reasons. The temple is accessible from May to October, and the monsoon (July-August) affects the accessibility as it experiences heavy rain, which makes travel unsafe. So the best time to visit is a crucial consideration for a safe and memorable journey. 

Read More About- Tungnath Temple  and Panch Kedar Name 

Tungnath Temple Weather Forecast:

Tungnath experiences a varied range of temperatures by season, from warm and pleasant summer (April-June) and autumn (Sep-Oct) to cold and snowy winter. During the monsoon, this site experiences moderately heavy rain that makes trails slippery, not ideal for trekking. Here is the full Tungnath weather forecast  by season. 

Summer Season (April-June): Summer in Tungnath is pleasant and cool with comfortable temperature ranges and clear skies. The surrounding scenery, including the meadows, is also vibrating at this time, making it an ideal time for sightseeing and temple visiting. 

• Temperature: 10°C to 25°C

• What to expect: clear skies, warm and crisp days, experiencing a huge crowd as the pilgrimage season starts, ideal for family travelers.  

Monsoon season (July-August): marked by the heavy rain that causes landslides and thunderstorms. Heavy rain makes trails slippery and travel risky. It is not the recommended time for trekking. 

• Temperature: 8°C to 15°C with high humidity

• What to expect: the temple remains open but experiences fewer pilgrims, as the slippery paths affect accessibility. Cloudy skies also provide poor visibility of the views. 

Autumn season (Sep-Oct): the post-monsoon season experiences cool, comfortable, and pleasant weather after the wet monsoon. It experiences vibrant scenery with blooming rhododendron flowers and bugyals, making it another ideal time to visit. 

• Temperature: 5°C to 20°C 

• What to expect: fewer pilgrims, as compared to the peak summer season, ideal for peace seekers.  Blooming flowers and lush greenery provide excellent visibility, which makes it a perfect time for photography and sightseeing. 

Winter season (Nov-Mar): weather becomes extremely harsh and cold with the possibility of snow. The entire region is covered with snow. 

• Temperature: 5°C to 10°C

• What to expect: The Temple remains closed due to heavy snow, and the idol of lord Tungnath is shifted to his winter abode in Makkumath. 

Month wise Chopt Tungnath Temperature Overview

Best time to visit Tungnath Temple 

• Summer months: If you're aiming to witness the traditional rituals during the temple opening and want the excellent visibility of the temple, visit during the summer from April to June, providing great accessibility and pleasant weather. 

• Post-monsoon months: Autumn months, from September to October, are another ideal time to visit Tungnath, as it provides excellent visibility of the peaks, and it experiences fewer crowds, which is ideal for those who want a peaceful Darshan. 

• Avoid the monsoon: the temple is open during the monsoon, but it’s not an ideal time to visit, as it brings heavy rain that causes landslides and makes paths slippery. 

• Winter months: The temple gets closed during the winter months (Nov-Apr), but the trek to Chandrashilla summit peaks remains open, which demands proper planning and preparation. 

Tungnath Temple Opening and Closing Date 2026

The Tungnath temple opening and closing dates for 2026 have not been determined yet. They will be decided by the Badri-Kedar temple committee, coinciding with the beginning of the pilgrimage season for Do Dham and Char Dham Yatra, based on the astrological calculation and weather conditions. Here are the tentative opening and closing dates of the Tunganth temple for 2026. 

• Expected opening Date 2026: Traditionally, the opening date of Tungnath temple is announced on the Akshay Tritya or Baishakh panchmi, which falls in April. For 2026, the temple is expected to be open on 4 May 2026.

• Expected closing Date 2026: Generally, the closing date is determined on the occasion of Diwali, which falls in October or November. For 2026, the temple may be closed in November 2026. 

Comparison of Opening & Closing of 2025 and 2026

Note: These dates are tentative, wait till the official announcement by the temple authority. 

Significance of Tungnath Temple in Panch Kedar

Tungnath is a significant site, which holds great significance, associated with the legends of the Mahabharata. It is part of the Panch Kedar pilgrimage circuits, sacred temples which were built by the Pandavas, who were seeking lord Shiva’s forgiveness to atone for the sins of their kinsmen in the Kurukshetra war

The legends of the Mahabharata said that lord SHiva was not ready to forgive them easily; he took the form of a Bull ( Nandi) and disappeared in the Himalayas. When the Pandavas recognized him as a bull, he vanished into the earth and appeared in five different places in the Garhwal Himalayas, which are known as the Panch Kedar temples, and Tungnath is one of them. 

It is the 3rd and highest temple among all Panch Kedar temples, where lord Shiva’s arms appeared, symbolizing the strength and power that extends towards the world.

Tungnath Trek Highlights

The trek to Tungnath temple is a 3-4 km hike from Chopta on a stone-carved path, which is considered an easy-to-moderate trek with some steep inclines and is suitable for beginners and experienced trekkers. 

Trek detail—

• Duration: It takes 2-3 hrs one way, depending on your pace and fitness level. 

• Best time for trekking: Start trekking early to avoid the pilgrim crowd.

• Trek route map: The trek, which starts from Chopta basecamp, passes through the rhododendron-dense forest and alpine bugyals, providing stunning views of the Himalayan peaks. The resting benches are available along the trail for acclimatization. 

• Things to carry: pack warm clothes, rainy gear,  trekking shoes, medical kit, light-dry snacks, reusable water bottles, trekking stick, etc. 

How to reach Tungnath

To reach Tungnath, you need to travel to Chopta via air, train, or road. From there, you can embark on a trek to reach the Tungnath temple. Here is a short overview of how to reach Tungnath. 

Step 1: Travel to Chopta

• By Air: Take a flight to the nearest airport to Chopta, which is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is around 233 km from Chopta. From the airport, take a taxi or bus to reach Chopta.

• By Train: Take a train from your hometown to Haridwar or Rishikesh, as these are the nearest railheads to Chopta. After that, hire a bus or taxi to reach Tungnath. 

• By Road: Chopta is easily accessible by road. You can reach Chopta via car or bus. 

Step 2: Trek to Tungnath temple

After reaching Chopta, embark on a trek from Chopta to Tungnath, which is 3.5 km moderately easy hike, suitable for beginners, and takes 2-3 hours to complete. 

Stay Option Near Tungnath

The nearby towns or villages to Tunagnath, like Chopta, Ukhimath, Makkumath, and Sari, provide various stay options, including hotels, homestays, resorts, and camps. You can choose any of these according to your budget, need, and preference. Book your stay through the online travel websites like Agoda, TripAdvisor, and MakeMyTrip.

Some suggested options near Tunganth are:

Note: The prices of the hotels can vary via the type of accommodation, season, and availability of the options, so it’s recommended to check locally. 

Things to DO near Tungnath

• Trek to Chandrashilla peak: a 1.5 km hike from Tungnath temple, which provides the breathtaking 360-degree views of Mt. Chaukhamba and Nanda Devi. 

• Explore  Deoria Tal: a pristine lake located near this region, providing panoramic views of the bugyal and peaks. 

• Birdwatching & Camping in Chopta Valley: Chopta is a paradise for birdwatchers; it is the home of thousands of bird species. It also provides an opportunity for nature photography and camping in the starry night sky. 

• Explore local culture: Also, explore the local Garhwali culture, and see the life of the local villagers. 

FAQs related to the best time & travel to Tungnath 

1. When will the Tungnath temple open in 2026?

Well, the opening date of the Tungnath temple for 2026 has not been announced yet,  but based on previous years' opening pattern and traditional rituals, the temple will open around May 2026.

2. Is the Tungnath trek open in winter?

Since the Tunganath temple gets closed in winter,  but the Tungath-Chandrashilla trek is open in winter. So if you want to experience snow trekking, you can visit Tungnath in winter with proper planning and preparation. 

3. How hard is the Tungnath trek?

Tungnath is a moderately easy 3.5 km trek with stone-carved paths, which starts from Chopta and leads to the high Tungnath temple. 

4. What is the height of the Tungnath temple?

The Tungnath temple sits at an altitude of 12,073 feet (3,680 meters) above sea level and is surrounded by snow-capped peaks, renowned as the world’s highest Shiva temple on the earth. 

5. Which months are best for the Tungnath trek?

May-June and Sep-Oct are the best months for the Tungnath trek, as these months offer pleasant weather, clear skies, and a well-accessible trail.