Context:
The central government recently issued a notification declaring the ancient temple of Tungnath as a monument of national importance.
Relevance:
GS I: Culture
Dimensions of the Article:
- Tungnath Temple – Location and Significance
- About Panch Kedars
Tungnath Temple – Location and Significance:
- The Tungnath Temple is situated in the Rudraprayag District of Uttarakhand, India.
- It is considered the highest Shiva temple globally, located at an elevation of 3680 meters.
- The temple is part of the Panch Kedars and is believed to date back to almost a thousand years.
Architecture and Surroundings:
- The temple was built in the North Indian style of architecture.
- It has several shrines of other gods surrounding the main temple.
- The temple complex comprises a dozen shrines, each with its unique history and significance.
About Panch Kedars:
- Panch Kedar is a group of five sacred shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva.
- The shrines are located in the Garhwal Himalayas in the state of Uttarakhand, India.
- The five temples are named Kedarnath Temple (3,583 m or 11,755 ft), Tungnath Temple (3,680 m or 12,070 ft), Rudranath Temple (3,559 m or 11,677 ft), Madhyamaheshwar Temple or Madmaheshwar (3,490 m or 11,450 ft) and Kalpeshwar Temple (2,200 m or 7,200 ft).
- The temples are considered to be of great religious significance to Hindus.
- They are believed to have been built by the Pandavas of the Mahabharata fame to seek Lord Shiva’s blessings after the Kurukshetra War.
- The Panch Kedars form an important part of the Chota Char Dham Yatra pilgrimage in Uttarakhand.
-Source: Indian Express
