World’s Highest Shiva Temple, Tungnath, Is Tilting

RUDRAPRAYAG, (IANS) – A recent study conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India has found that Rudraprayag’s Tungnath temple has tilted slightly.

The report said that the temple has tilted by around five to six degrees, and the idols and smaller structures within the complex have also tilted by 10 degrees which have raised concerns about the existence of the temple.

Located at an altitude of 12,800 feet in the Garhwal Himalayas, the temple is the world’s highest Shiva shrine.

Officials expressed grave concerns about the tilting of the temple which may cause problems in the future.

For now, the agency has fixed glass scales that can measure the movement on the walls of the main temple.

Earlier also a letter was written to the ASI by the Central government to take over the temple. The government is considering it to be declared as a monument of national importance. It has given a two-month period to register any objections.

The Badri Kedar Temple Committee (BKTC) and the local authorities of the temple have raised objections to handing over the Tungnath temple to the ASI.

This temple also comes under Badri Kedar Mandir Committee like the Kedarnath Dham.

Locals only worship in the Tungnath temple. However, priests are not appointed here by the Badri Kedar Temple Committee. The Badri Kedar Temple Committee and the rights holders have decided to oppose the declaration of the temple as a national heritage.