Chandrashila Peak

Published on November 05, 2024

Chandrashila Peak: The Moon Rock Above the Clouds – The Complete Story (2025)

At 4,000 metres (13,100 ft), Chandrashila is not just the summit above Tungnath.
It is the place where the moon once came down to rest, where Shiva meditated in silence, and where, on a clear winter morning, you can see 360° of the greatest Himalayan panorama visible anywhere in Garhwal — from Nanda Devi to the plains of Haridwar.
This is the full story of Chandrashila — the “Moon Rock”.

Exact Location & How to Reach (2025)

District: Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand
Base village: Chopta (2,900 m) — called “Mini Switzerland of India”
Trek route: Chopta → Tungnath Temple (3,680 m) → Chandrashila Peak (4,000 m)
Total trek distance: 5 km one way (Chopta to summit)
Time: 3–5 hours up, 2–3 hours down

Best season:
March–June & September–December
(Winter Dec–March: full snow trek, needs crampons & guide)

The Great Myth: Why It Is Called “Chandrashila” (Moon Rock)

According to the Skanda Purana and local Garhwali folklore:

Lord Rama, after defeating Ravana, came to the Himalayas for penance to atone for the sin of killing a Brahmin. He meditated at the spot that is now Chandrashila.
One night, Chandra (the Moon God) was suffering from the curse of Daksha Prajapati and was losing his radiance. He came to Chandrashila seeking Lord Rama’s blessings. Rama touched the rock with his arrow, and the moon regained its full glow.
Since then, the summit rock is called Chandrashila — the rock blessed by the moon. Even today, on full-moon nights in winter, the summit stone is said to glow with a faint silvery light that no torch can match.

The Second Legend: Shiva’s Secret Meditation Spot
Another powerful story belongs to Lord Shiva.
When the Pandavas were searching for Shiva during their exile (Mahabharata – Vana Parva), Shiva turned himself into a bull and hid in the Garhwal Himalayas. Bhima caught the bull by its hump at Kedarnath, but Shiva disappeared into the ground.
Shiva’s divine form then reappeared at five places (Panch Kedar). His arms (Bahu) appeared at Tungnath, but his face and crown of matted hair are believed to have meditated at Chandrashila before finally ascending to heaven.
That is why Tungnath priests say:
“Tungnath is the body, Chandrashila is the soul.”

The Ravana Connection
Some local priests narrate that Ravana performed severe penance at Chandrashila to please Lord Shiva and ask for invincibility. Shiva appeared here and granted him the boon — but with the condition that Ravana must never place the lingam down. (This is the same lingam that later became Gokarna Mahabaleshwar in Karnataka.)
A small cave just below the summit is still called “Ravana Shila”.
The 360° Himalayan Panorama — The Real Magic
On a clear day from Chandrashila summit, you can see:

Nanda Devi (7,816 m) — India’s second-highest peak
Trishul (7,120 m)
Chaukhamba (7,138 m)
Kedar Dome & Kedarnath
Thalaysagar, Mandani, Janoli
Bandarpunch, Gangotri group
On extremely clear winter days: a faint glimpse of the Nepal peaks (Dhaulagiri–Annapurna range)

No other 4,000 m summit in Uttarakhand gives such an unbroken 300+ km view.

Practical Information & 2025 Updates

Trek difficulty
Chopta to Tungnath: Moderate (3.5 km, well-paved)
Tungnath to Chandrashila: Steep & rocky (1.5 km, 320 m gain)
Winter: Snow from Tungnath onwards — microspikes & trekking poles mandatory

Stay options
Chopta: Magpie Camp, Snow Pods, GMVN, dozens of alpine tents (₹1500–5000)
Basic dharamshala at Tungnath (₹300–600)

New facilities (2025)
Ropeway from Duggalbitta (2 km before Chopta) to 500 m below Tungnath — Phase 1 operational since March 2025 (₹650 round trip)
Summit viewpoint shelter with glass walls (protects from wind)
Night lighting on the final 300 m path for winter full-moon treks

Best time for sunrise
Reach summit by 5:30 AM. First light hits Nanda Devi in golden-pink.

A Quiet Warning from the Tungnath Priests

Never whistle or play loud music above Tungnath — “Shiva is still meditating”.
Never take any stone from Chandrashila — many who did reportedly faced accidents on the way down.
On winter full-moon nights, don’t stay on the summit after 10 PM — “the devtas come to meet Lord Moon”.

Chandrashila is not a trek.
It is a pilgrimage to the roof of Garhwal, where the moon once rested, where Shiva still meditates, and where, for one frozen moment at sunrise, you stand higher than every temple in the Himalayas.
Come in silence.
Leave your ego at Tungnath.
Let the mountains speak.
And when the first ray hits the summit, you’ll understand why even the moon needed this rock to shine again.
Jai Chandrashila Dev! 

Chandrashila Peak – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Where exactly is Chandrashila Peak?
A: At 4,000 m (13,100 ft) directly above Tungnath Temple (world’s highest Shiva temple), in Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand. Base is Chopta (2,900 m).

Q2. What is the total trek distance and time from Chopta?
A: Chopta → Tungnath (3.5 km) + Tungnath → Chandrashila (1.5 km) = 5 km one way.
Normal pace: 3–5 hrs up, 2–3 hrs down. Fit people do it in 2.5 hrs up.

Q3. Is the trek difficult?
A: Moderate till Tungnath (well-paved path). Last 1.5 km to Chandrashila is steep & rocky. Winter (Dec–Mar) becomes difficult because of snow and ice.

Q4. When is the trek open?
A: 365 days. Apr–Jun & Sep–Nov: Easiest, rhododendrons in bloom
Dec–Mar: Full snow trek, microspikes & guide compulsory
Jul–Aug: Monsoon, slippery but possible

Q5. Is there now a ropeway?
A: Yes! Phase-1 ropeway from Duggalbitta (2 km before Chopta) to 500 m below Tungnath started March 2025. ₹650 round trip. From ropeway top, still 2 km walk + trek to summit.

Q6. Can I reach the summit and return in one day?
A: Yes, 95% of people do it as a day trek from Chopta. Start 4–5 AM for sunrise.

Q7. Where can I stay?
A:Chopta: Magpie Camp, Snow Pod Camp, Alpine tents, GMVN (₹1500–6000)
Tungnath: Very basic dharamshala & 3–4 tea huts with beds (₹400–800)
No stay on Chandrashila summit

Q8. Are there toilets and food on the route?
A: Multiple Maggi points & tea stalls till Tungnath
2 small shacks 300 m below summit (Maggi, tea, biscuits)
Proper toilets only at Chopta & Tungnath temple complex

Q9. Which peaks are visible from the summit?
A: 360° view: Nanda Devi, Trishul, Nanda Ghunti, Chaukhamba, Kedarnath, Thalaysagar, Mandani, Kamet, Bandarpunch, Gangotri group, and on super-clear winter days even a faint Nepal range.

Q10. Is winter snow trek safe?
A: Yes with proper gear (microspikes, trekking poles, guide). Local guides charge ₹1500–2500 per group. Do not attempt without guide in deep snow.

Q11. Can senior citizens and children do it?
A: Till Tungnath: Yes (many 60+ and kids 8+ do it slowly).
Till Chandrashila: Only if reasonably fit. Ponies available till Tungnath (₹1200–2000), last 1.5 km no pony.

Q12. Best time for sunrise at Chandrashila?
A: Reach summit by 5:15–5:30 AM.
April–May & October–November give the clearest views.

Q13. Is camping allowed on the summit?
A: Strictly NO. Camping only in Chopta meadows or designated sites near Tungnath.

Q14. How cold does it get?
A: Summer night: 5–10 °C
Winter night: –5 to –15 °C (wind chill can feel –25 °C)

Q15. Is there mobile network?
A: Jio & Airtel 4G works till Tungnath. Patchy or zero at summit.

Q16. Any entry fee or permit?
A: No entry fee for Indians. Foreigners pay ₹250 at Chopta forest checkpost.

Q17. Is the Ravana meditation story real?
A: Local priests and Kedar valley folklore say Ravana meditated in a small cave just below the summit (still called “Ravana Shila”).

Q18. Can I see the Milky Way?
A: One of the best dark-sky spots near Delhi. New-moon nights in winter = galactic core visible with naked eye.

Q19. How much does a 2-day trip cost in 2025?
A: Budget: ₹3500–5500 per person (shared cab + camp stay + food)
Comfort: ₹8000–15000 (private cab + good camp + ropeway)

Q20. Final question everyone asks – Tungnath vs Chandrashila: which one is more worth it?
A: Tungnath Temple is beautiful, but Chandrashila is life-changing.
99% of people who have done both say: “Skip nothing, but the summit is the actual reward.”

Stand on that moon-blessed rock at sunrise, look at Nanda Devi turning golden, and you’ll understand why even Lord Rama and the Moon God needed this place to find peace.
Jai Chandrashila!