Madhyamaheshwar — The Navel of Shiva beneath Chaukhamba

The navel (middle) of the divine bull

Madhyamaheshwar (Madmaheshwar), where the navel or middle of Shiva’s form is worshipped, sits in a remote green valley beneath the towering north face of Chaukhamba. The trek from Ransi through Gaundar is long but gentle in gradient, and the evening aarti with Chaukhamba glowing pink is unforgettable.

Tradition

Like all Panch Kedar temples, Madhyamaheshwar is bound to the story of the Pandavas’ search for Shiva after the Kurukshetra war — read the full narrative on the Kedarnath & Mahabharata page and the overview on the Panch Kedar page.

Visiting

Verify current route and weather conditions before travel, and carry proper mountain gear. Winter access varies by temple; check locally.