World’s highest Shiva temple, Tungnath, is tilting by 5 to 6 degrees

As per a recent study by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), it has been found that Uttarakhand’s famous Tungnath temple is tilting by around 5 to 6 degrees, while the smaller structures are tilting by 10 degrees.

Facing north, this temple is located at an altitude of 12,800 ft in the Rudraprayag district of Garhwal Himalayas. As of now, ASI officials have apprised the central government about the findings, and has suggested it to be included as a protected monument.

If reports are to go by, the government has also started the process of declaring it as a monument of national importance and issued a notification seeking objections from the public as a matter of procedure.

And as an immediate action, the ASI will find the root cause of the damage in case it can be repaired immediately. As of now, the officials are not ruling out the possibility of subsidence.

Manoj Kumar Saxena, Superintending Archaeologist of ASI’s Dehradun circle, stated that they will first try to find the root cause of the damage, and then try to repair it immediately. Also, they will work on a detailed work programme after a thorough inspection of the shrine is carried out.

Reportedly, the ASI officials have not ruled out the possibility of subsidence, because of which the alignment of the temple may likely shift.

They added that, if required, they will try to replace the damaged foundation stone after consultations with experts. Now, the agency has fixed glass scales, which will measure the movement on the walls of the main temple.

Tungnath temple is the world’s highest Shiva temple, and is under the administration of the Badri Kedar Temple Committee (BKTC).