Tungnath, the highest Lord Shiva temple in the world, situated at an elevation of 3,680 meters in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district, is facing serious structural challenges. The ancient temple is grappling with issues like water leakage, subsidence, and a weakening foundation, worsened by heavy monsoon rains. These problems have raised concerns about the temple’s safety for devotees and tourists alike.
Ajay explained, "The temple is facing major structural issues, including subsidence, a weakening foundation, and shifting wall slates, which have caused water leakage, especially during the monsoon season." To further ensure safety, the committee has also requested assistance from the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI).
Manoj Saxena, the superintendent archaeologist at ASI, noted, "While the temple is not officially protected by ASI, our team conducted an inspection and provided recommendations. It is now up to the temple committee and the Uttarakhand government to take necessary actions." Uttarakhand’s Tourism Minister, Satpal Maharaj, added, "The government is prioritizing the repairs of Tungnath temple to address water leakage and structural issues, ensuring the safety of the site for all visitors."
This effort to preserve Tungnath temple, an important religious and historical site, is crucial to maintaining its structural integrity and ensuring the safety of the thousands of devotees who visit each year.
