Highest Shiva temple in the world is “Tungnath Temple”. It is the highest of the five Panch Kedar temples located in the Rudraprayag district, in Uttarakhand, Bharat.
The Tungnath, known as the Lord of the Peaks, is situated at an altitude of 3,690 m (12,106 ft) between the Mandakini and Alaknanda river valleys, just below the summit of Chandrashila. It is steeped in legend linked to the Pandavas, the heroes of the Mahabharata.
After failing to find Shiva in Varanasi, the Pandavas journeyed to the Garhwal Himalayas. Bhima, the second brother, stood between two mountains and began his search. He spotted a bull grazing near Guptakashi, meaning “hidden Kashi” because of Shiva’s concealment. Recognizing the bull as Shiva, Bhima seized it by its tail and hind legs. However, the bull-shaped Shiva vanished into the ground, later reappearing in parts: the hump in Kedarnath, the arms in Tungnath, the face in Rudranath, the navel and stomach in Madhyamaheshwar, and the hair in Kalpeshwar. Pleased by this manifestation, the Pandavas built temples at each location to honor Shiva and free themselves from their sins.
The priest at Tungnath is a local Brahmin from Makkumath village, unlike other Kedar temples, where priests typically come from South India, a tradition established by the eighth-century sage Adi Shankara. The Maithani Brahmins of Makkumath also officiate at this temple. In winter, the temple closes, and the deity’s symbolic image along with the priests is moved to Markandeshwar Temple in Makkumath village, located 29 km away, near Duggalbitha, 10 km (6 mi) before Chopta on the way to Ukhimath.
Ravana Shila / Speaking Mountain
Ravana Shila is located above the Tungnath temple, where there is a small temple called Chandra Shila. Ravana Shila, or the Speaking Mountain, has historical significance linked to the Ramayana. After killing Ravana, Rama was burdened with the sin of Brahmahatya. To atone, he performed austerities for Shiva and asked Him to free him from the sin of killing a Brahmin. During his penance, he built the Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu, which is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas.
