The sunrise views from Chandrashila Peak
are often described as legendary, and I’ve always dreamed of witnessing one myself. So, during my visit to Tungnath, I decided to make that dream come true. I wanted to experience the magic of the sunrise from the top of Chandrashila, a moment that many adventurers have raved about.
To ensure I wouldn’t miss the sunrise, I started my day at 2 AM, waking up in the chilly mountain air with a mixture of excitement and nervous anticipation. By 3 AM, I was on the trail, trekking through the darkness. It was my first time visiting Tungnath, so the trek was unfamiliar territory for me. Adding to the challenge, I hadn’t packed any light sources or a water bottle. I quickly realized that I would have to rely on my instincts and the faint light of the moon to guide me. Link
As I began the trek, the darkness was thick, with towering trees lining both sides of the trail. The silence was profound, broken only by the sound of my footsteps and the occasional rustling of leaves. There was no one else around, which made the journey feel both thrilling and a little eerie. But as I pressed on, the dense forest gradually gave way to open meadows, and visibility improved thanks to the gentle glow of the moonlight. The landscape transformed into a silvery wonderland, with the peaks of the surrounding mountains faintly illuminated in the distance.
By 4:45 AM, I reached Tungnath, the highest Shiva temple in the world. I was tired—exhausted, really—as I hadn’t taken any breaks along the way. My legs felt heavy, and I was out of breath. I knew I still had about 2 kilometers left to reach Chandrashila Peak, and the thought of climbing further seemed daunting. The sky was beginning to lighten, and I feared I might miss the sunrise from the top. At that moment, a part of me considered giving up and settling for the view from where I stood. After all, the temple was already a significant accomplishment, and the sunrise would be beautiful from here too.
But something inside me refused to quit. Maybe it was the blessings of Lord Shiva, or perhaps it was sheer determination, but I found the strength to keep going. I reminded myself that I had come all this way for a reason, and I couldn’t let fatigue stand in the way of witnessing something extraordinary. So, I pushed through the exhaustion, taking deep breaths and setting small goals for myself with every step.
As I neared the peak, the sky began to change color, shifting from deep blue to shades of pink and orange. I could feel the anticipation building with every moment. Finally, just as the first rays of the sun broke over the horizon, I reached Chandrashila Peak. The timing was perfect, and the view was beyond anything I had imagined.
Standing at the summit, I watched in awe as the sun slowly rose, casting a golden light across the snow-capped Himalayan peaks. The world below was bathed in a warm, ethereal glow, and the sky above was a canvas of brilliant colors. In that moment, I understood why so many people had spoken so highly of the Chandrashila sunrise. It was a sight that words can barely capture—a moment of pure beauty and serenity that made every challenging step worthwhile.
Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful that I didn’t give up. Experiencing the sunrise from Chandrashila Peak was not just a visual treat, but a reminder of the rewards that come from perseverance. It’s true what they say: you must live the Chandrashila peak. Click here