New Delhi: The second Kedar, Madhyamaheshwar Temple, was opened to devotees on May 21. It is the second of the Panch Kedar. The temple is open for a limited time every year, and the doors are ceremoniously opened with special ceremonies and a procession. The temple trek, part of the Panch Kedar pilgrimage circuit, is a moderate to challenging trek offering breathtaking views of the Chaukhamba, Neelkanth, and Kedarnath peaks.
As the doors of the second Panch Kedar open for devotees, let us look at its history and importance.
Madhyamaheshwar Temple: History and significance of one of the Panch Kedar
Madhyamaheshwar, also known as Madmaheshwar, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. It is located in the village of Gaundar in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, surrounded by the Garhwal Himalayas. The temple sits at a height of 11,473 feet. The other temples of Panch Kedar are Kedarnath, Tungnath, and Rudranath, which are usually visited before Madhyamaheshwar, while Kalpeshwar is often visited afterwards. This temple worships the middle part or navel of Shiva. It is believed to have been built by the Pandavas, key characters in the Hindu epic Mahabharata. You can reach the temple by trekking 16 to 18 kilometres from either Aktolidhar or Ransi village near Ukhimath in the Rudraprayag district.
What do legends say?
Legends from the Garhwal region often connect with Shiva and the Panch Kedar temples. They tell stories about the Pandavas from the Mahabharata. The Pandavas sought Shiva’s blessings after winning the Kurukshetra war against the Kauravas. They wanted to make up for their sins of killing brothers and Brahmins. They first went to Varanasi, but angry about the war, Shiva evaded them by transforming into Nandi (a bull) and hiding in Garhwal.
When the Pandavas arrived in the Himalayas, Bhima saw a bull grazing near Guptakashi and recognised it as Shiva. He pulled the bull by its tail, but Shiva disappeared into the ground, reappearing in five places: Kedarnath, Tungnath, Rudranath, Madhyamaheshwar and Kalpeshwar. The Pandavas built temples at these locations to honour Shiva and were freed from their sins.
In some versions, Bhima stops the bull from vanishing, tearing it into five parts. After constructing the Panch Kedar temples, the Pandavas meditated at Kedarnath for salvation and followed the Mahapanth to attain heaven. After their pilgrimage, it is customary for devotees to visit Vishnu at the Badrinath Temple to confirm they have sought Shiva’s blessings.
History and Architecture
The temple was built in the North Indian Himalayan style and is in a green meadow below a high ridge. The older temple, called ‘Vriddh-Madmaheshwar,’ is a small, dark shrine on a ridge. It faces the Chaukhamba Mountain peaks. Inside the main temple is a navel-shaped Shiva lingam made of black stone. There are also two smaller shrines: one for Shiva’s wife, Parvati, and another for Ardhanarishwara, a half-Shiva, half-Parvati image. 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 with a marble image of Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of learning, inside it.
Trek to Madhyamaheshwar Temple
The best time to visit the Panch Kedar temples is from April to September, ideally before October, to avoid harsh weather. The trek spans about 170 km over 16 days, starting from Gauri Kund, with scenic views of the Himalayas. The trekking season is limited to summer and the post-monsoon period, as the temples are snowbound at other times, except for Rudranath.
Madyamaheswar temple, located in Rudraprayag, is accessible via Ransi village, the last motorable point. After Kund (near Ukhimath), the route splits between Gaurikund and Madyamaheswar.
The trek to Madyamaheswar begins from Aktolidhar/Ransi, 22-24 km from Ukhimath. Key stops include Goundar, Bantoli (the confluence of Saraswati Ganga and Morkhanda Ganga), Khatara and others. Gaundhar and Kalimath are significant along the route, with Kalimath being a spiritual centre and an important pilgrimage site, especially during Navaratri, when many devotees visit.
Worshipping at the temple
The water from the temple is very sacred; even a few drops are enough for cleansing. Worship at this temple begins in the summer and continues until October or November, when snow makes the area inaccessible. During winter, the idol of the god is moved to Ukhimath for worship. Like many other temples in the state, the priests at this temple come from South India. At this temple, they are called Jangamas and come from Mysore in Karnataka. Having priests from different parts of the country encourages cultural exchange, and language is not a barrier.
This temple is an important pilgrimage site with significant religious texts as part of the Panchasthali (five places) doctrine. This doctrine is based on religious associations, fairs, festivals, offerings to the deity, sacred declarations by devotees, and specific blessings sought through prayers at various temples.
Two kilometres away is a small temple called Bura Madhyamaheswar. One must trek two kilometres up steep paths through large moors and valleys to reach it. At the trek’s end is a small lake with a beautiful view of the Himalayas, including peaks like Chaukhamba, Kedarnath, Neelkanth, Trishul, Kamet, and Panchulli.
Madhyamaheshwar Temple, the second Panch Kedar, recently opened to devotees. Located in Uttarakhand, this temple dedicated to Shiva is accessible via a moderate trek offering stunning Himalayan views. Legends connect it to the Pandavas, who built the temple after seeking Shiva’s blessings. The temple’s architecture, history, and pilgrimage experience are detailed, along with practical information for planning a visit. Spirituality Lifestyle News -Fashion Trends, Beauty Tips, Celebrity Party News, Relationship advice, Travel and Food Tips
