Madhyamaheshwar / Madmaheshwar - History, Timings & Entry Fee

At a distance of 20 km from Ransi village, 36 km from Ukhimath, 89 km from Kedarnath, Madhyamaheshwar is an ancient Hindu temple located at the base of Chaukhamba peak in the Garhwal region of Rudraprag district in Uttarakhand. Madhyamaheshwar is a beautiful place among the Panch Kedars and is situated at an altitude of 3,497 m.

Madhyamaheshwar temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple architecture is a classic Nagara style. This is the fourth temple to be visited in the Panch Kedar Pilgrimage circuit; the other temples being Kedarnath, Tungnath, Rudranath and Kalpeshwar. The middle (madhya) or navel of the bull, considered a divine form of Shiva, is worshipped at this temple. There are two other smaller shrines, one for Shiva's consort Parvati and the other dedicated to the Ardhanarishwara. Bhima, the second Pandava brother is believed to have built this temple and worshipped Shiva here. To the right of the main temple there is a small temple where the marble image of Saraswati is installed in the sanctum.

Madhyamaheshwar finds its mention in the Vedas and Mahabharata. As per historians, the land was ruled by the Khasa, Kshatriya and the rulers of Panwar dynasty. Madhyamaheshwar is associated with a legend of war between the Pandavas and Kauravas. In order to absolve from the sin of Gotra Hatya, the Pandavas decided to pay reverence to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva wanted to avoid them as he was deeply incensed by the death and dishonesty at the Kurukshetra war. Therefore, he disguised in the form of a bull and disappeared into the ground with different parts of the body appearing at various places. Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of navel - shaped lingam in Madhyamaheshwar.

There is also an old temple known as Vriddh-Madmaheshwar, located on the ridge which looks straight up at the commanding Chaukhamba peaks. Madhyamaheshwar is mystically covered by the snow-capped Himalayas on the right side, lush green alpine meadows on the left side and dense forest as backdrop. Buddha Madhyamaheshwar situated 2 km away from Madmaheshwar another interesting place. Trekking enthusiast can also visit Kanchani Tal situated at a distance of 6 km from Madmaheshwar. Trek to Kanchani Tal is of difficult level. Gaundhar and Kalimath are two important places on the route to Madhyamaheshwar.

Uniana village is the last road point from where 19 km trek starts and ends up at Madmaheshwar. The trek is easy up to Bantoli, but from Bantoli to Madmaheshwar there is a steep ascent. After 3 km is Ransi village, a small chatti with a place to stay. The next stretch is 6 km long to Gaundhar where there are 3 lodges to stay. After 1 km, there is Bantoli, the point of confluence of Madhyamaheshwar Ganga and Martyenda Ganga. The trail continues to Khatara, Nanu, and then Madhyamaheshwar. Home stay accommodation options are available at Madmaheshwar.
The best season to visit Madhyamaheshwar is from May to October. The temple remains closed from November to April. During winters, the residing deity is shifted to Ukhimath for worship.

Temple Timing: 6 AM to 9 PM