Tilting of Tungnath temple, world’s highest jyotirling raises concern

World's highest Shiva shrine, the Tungnath temple in Uttarakhand, is tilting by around 6-10 degrees, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) informed on Wednesday.

According to a report in the Times of India on Wednesday, the temple, which is one of the five jyotirlings in Uttarakhand is tilting by around five to six degrees, and the smaller structures in the complex are tilting by 10 degrees.

ASI officials told TOI that they have apprised the central government of the findings and suggested that the shrine be included as a protected monument. "Following this;' an official said on Tuesday, "the government has 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". The ASI will find the root cause of the damage in case it can be repaired immediately.

The officials said that if required, the foundation stone will be replaced after consulting experts. But for now, the ASI fixed glass scales on the walls of the main temple.

The Tungnath temple comes under the administration of the Badri Kedar Temple Committee (BKTC). ASI official Saxena said a letter was sent to the BKTC in this regard, but the ASI is yet to receive a response.