World’s highest Shiva temple in Uttarakhand faces water leakage, weakening foundation

DEHRADUN: Tungnath, the highest temple dedicated to Lord Shiva at an altitude of 3,680 metres, in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district, is facing serious structural challenges, including water leakage, subsidence, and a weakening foundation, all of which have worsened during the monsoon season. The ongoing heavy rainfall has accelerated the damage, leading to concerns about the ancient temple's stability and safety for visiting devotees and tourists. Locals believed the temple was built by the Pandavas of Mahabharat after the war in Kurukshetra.

In response, the Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee, led by Ajendra Ajay, reached out to the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to explore possible restoration methods. Both organisations sent expert teams to inspect the site in Sept. After assessing the condition, they provided their recommendations to the temple committee on steps to protect the temple from further damage.

"The temple is facing serious issues like subsidence, weakening foundation, and shifting wall slates, which have caused water leakage, especially during the rainy season," said Ajay. The committee has also sought assistance from the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) to ensure the temple's safety.

Manoj Saxena, superintendent archaeologist at ASI, told TOI, "While the temple is not officially protected by ASI, our team visited the site and gave our recommendations. Now it is up to the temple committee and the Uttarakhand govt to take the necessary actions."

Tourism minister Satpal Maharaj also addressed the issue, saying, "Given the temple's water leakage and structural problems, the govt is prioritising its repair to ensure the structure remains safe for all visitors."


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