DEHRADUN: Tungnaththe highest temple dedicated to Lord Shiva at a height of 3,680 meters, in Uttarakhand‘s Rudraprayag district faces serious structural challenges including water leakagesubsidence and a weakening foundation, all of which have worsened during the monsoon season. Incessant heavy rains have accelerated the damage, raising concerns about the stability and safety of the ancient temple for visiting devotees and tourists. The locals believed that the temple was built after the Kurukshetra war by the Pandavas of Mahabharat.
In response to this, the Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committeeled by Ajendra Ajay, contacted the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to explore possible restoration methods. Both organizations sent expert teams to inspect the site in September. After assessing the condition, they gave their recommendations to the temple committee on steps to protect the temple from further damage.
“The temple is facing serious problems like subsidence, weakening foundation and shifting wall slates, which have caused water leakage, especially during the rainy season,” Ajay said. The committee has also sought help from the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) to ensure the safety of the temple.
Manoj Saxena, chief archaeologist at ASI, told TOI, “Though the temple is not officially protected by ASI, our team visited the site and made our recommendations. Now it is up to the temple committee and the Uttarakhand government to take necessary action. “
Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj also addressed the issue and said, “Considering the water leakage and structural issues of the temple, the government is prioritizing its repairs to ensure that the structure remains safe for all visitors.”