Madhyamaheshwar Temple

Overview

This is a Shiva temple and part of the famous Panch Kedar. The temple is situated at an altitude of 3497 mtrs and is the fourth to be visited in the Panch Kedar circuit. The others include: Kedarnath, Tungnath and Rudranath to be visited before this one and Kalpeshwar to be visited after.
This temple is situated in the Mansuna village of Garhwal range of the Himalayas in Uttarakhand. The madhya (middle) or belly part and nabhi (navel) of the bull, is considered a form of Shiva, and is worshipped at this temple. This temple is believed to be built by the Pandavas, of the Mahabharata. Also, there is an old temple known as Vriddh Madmaheshwar, situated on the ridge which looks straight up at the Chaukhamba peaks.

About the Temple

The temple, built in the north Indian style of architecture, is situated in a lush meadow, just below a high ridge. The 'Vriddh-Madmaheshwar' temple is a tiny blackened shrine on the ridge. In the main temple, a navel-shaped lingam, made of black stone, is kept in the sanctum. There are two other shrines, one for Lord Shiva’s consort Goddess Parvati and the other dedicated to the Ardha-narishwara, a half-Shiva half-Parvati image. Bhima, the second Pandava is believed to have built this temple. To the right of the main temple there is a small temple where Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of learning, is installed.
The water from the temple is considered so sacred that even a few drops are enough for bathing. The temple precincts are not accessible in winter due to snowy conditions during which, the idol of the god is shifted to Ukhimath for worship. The priests at this temple, as in many other temples in the state, are from South India.

About The Deity

According to Hindu Mythology, the navel (belly) of Shiva came into view at Madmaheshwar temple.

Legend and Stories

The legend of Madhyamaheswar, is a narration of the efforts of Pandavas to atone for the sins of killing the Kauravas, during the Mahabharata war. On advice from Lord Krishna they sought Lord Shiva’s pardon and blessings to attain salvation. Shiva was angry with them for their conduct during the war. He tried to avoid them by taking the form of a bull and hid himself in the Garhwal region. The determined Pandavas, after sighting the bull, tried to forcibly hold by its tail and hind legs. But it disappeared into the ground to reappear later in his original self of Lord Shiva at five places.
Pandavas built temples at these five places, worshipped him and attained salvation.

Best Time to Visit

May, June, September, and October.

Accessibility

Airport

The nearest airport is Jolly Grant at a distance of 18 km from Rishikesh. Madhmaheshwar temple is at a distance of 244 km from the airport and 227 km from Rishikesh.

Railways

The nearest railway stations are at Haridwar, Rishikesh, Kotdwar and Dehradun.

Road

Madhyamaheshwar Temple is on the Kedarnath road linked by a 13 km road to Kalimath from Guptakashi. Further approach from Guptakashi to the temple is only by a 21 km trek after 6 km by road journey.
From Rishikesh to Kalimath the road distance is 196 km. Alternatively, Madhmaheshwar shrine could be reached from Uniyana, via Ukhimath. Guptakashi is on the state highway from Rishikesh via Devprayag, Rudraprayag and Kund. Rishikesh is the entry point to the pilgrim centres of Garhwal Himalayas and is connected by train to the rest of the country.