Madmaheshwar
Madmaheshwar is the fourth temple of the holy Pancha Kedar. It is situated near the bottom of the Chaukhamba peak at an altitude of 3289 meters above the sea level, 30 kms northeast of Guptakashi.
Shiva is worshipped at Madmaheshwar in the form of navel – shaped lingum. This temple architecture follows the North-Indian style. From this location, Kedarnath and Neelkanth peaks are visible. It is said that these peaks make up the full circle of mountains related to Shiva’s life.
The two streams coming together at Gaundar, just past the temple, is one of the most picturesque places in the area. Taking a trek through the famed Sidha Peeth of Kalimath is one way to approach the temple.
Photo Credit: Funks on iStock
Origin
Madmaheshwar is thought to be the location where Lord Shiva is said to have manifested as a lingam with a navel-shaped shape, or the Madhyamaheshwar lingam, in Hindu mythology. The Pandavas allegedly desired Lord Shiva’s blessings in order to atone for the sin of killing their own kin following the battle of Kurukshetra. In order to avoid having a direct encounter with them, Lord Shiva assumed the shape of a bull and vanished beneath the earth.
A navel-shaped lingam thereafter arose at five distinct sites, collectively known as the Panch Kedar, and Lord Shiva made a second appearance. In this circuit, Madmaheshwar is the fourth temple, and it is thought that this is where Lord Shiva’s navel (nabhi) first manifested.
After the batlle of Kurukshetra, it came into existence when the bull (Lor Shiva) broke into pieces and the Nabhi or navel of Lord Shiva dropped here.
Geographic Details
| District | Rudraprayag |
| Area | 6.0 sq km |
| Elevation | 3,289 m (10,794 ft) |
| Latitude | 30.4195° N |
| Longitude | 79.3293° E |
Other Details
| Language | Hindi, Garhwali and Kumaoni. |
| Place Famous For | Pilgrimages and Tourist Places. |
| Best Time to Visit | Summers and Autumn. |
| Clothing | When visiting in the winter, wool and jackets are advised. |
How To Reach
The most convenient route to Panch Kedar is by road. If you’re travelling from Delhi to Panch Kedar, you can take either a taxi or a bus. The nearest roadhead to Madmaheshwar is Ukhimath, which is well-connected to other parts of Uttarakhand by road. From Ukhimath, one can trek for around 21 km to reach Madmaheshwar.By Train:
Dehradun and Kathgodam are the two closest railway stations to Panch Kedar, with Dehradun being 229 km away and Kathgodam 336 km away. The nearest railway station to Madmaheshwar is Rishikesh railway station, which is around 228 km away.By Air:
The nearest airport to Madmaheshwar is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is around 250 km away.
The five Panch Kedar are Kalpeshwar, Kedarnath, Madmaheshwar, Rudranath and Tunganath.
Kalpeshwar
Kalpeshwar, the fifth Pancha Kedar, is a small rock temple and a preferred site for sages to meditate. You can find this shrine in Urgam Valley at an altitude of 2134 meters. Here the locks (hair) and head of Lord Shiva are worshipped as Jatadhar.
Kedarnath
Kedarnath (The Celestial Jyotirlingam) is the ancient and magnificent temple is located in the Rudra Himalaya range in Rudraprayag District of the northern state of Uttarakhand. In Kedarnath lord Shiva is worshiped as one of the twelve jyotirling (linga of light). This conical protrusion about five feet by four feet, or ‘jyothirlingam’ is worshipped as the idol in the Kedarnath temple. Other parts emerged at four other places: arms at Tungnath, face at Rudranath, belly at Madmaheswar and the locks of hair with head at Kalpeshwar. All the five shrines are worshiped as ‘Panch Kedar’.
Madmaheshwar
Madmaheshwar is the fourth temple of the holy Pancha Kedar. It is situated near the bottom of the Chaukhamba peak at an altitude of 3289 meters above the sea level, 30 kms northeast of Guptakashi.
Rudranath
Located in a dense forest, Rudranath, the 3rd Pancha Kedar, stands at a height of 2286 m. The shrine is situated 23 kms away from Gopeshwer. This natural rock temple is home to the Mukh of Lord Shiva, referred to as Neelkantha Mahadeva, and is worshipped here.
Tunganath
Tunganath, the second of the Panch Kedar temples, is situated on top of a hill. The highest shrine lies 3 kilometers uphill from Chopta, on the inner Himalayan range. Tunganath can be reached by following a path that passes through alpine meadows and rhododendron patches.
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Puja Songs
The Puja songs of Uttarakhand, India, are a significant component of its cultural history. These songs, which are performed in adoration of the gods and goddesses, are a crucial component of the numerous religious and cultural celebrations held in the area. Traditional instruments like the dhol, damau, and hurka are used to accompany the lyrics of these songs, which are typically written in the regional Kumaoni or Garhwali dialects.
Pawada
The Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, India, is well known for its pawada style of folk song. In the same category as the folk ballads, Khuded and Laman, which portray a woman’s loneliness while her husband is in war, is Pawada. Love, care, fear, and pride are all expressed in abundance in these songs. These songs provide the woman with the inner strength to deal with daily struggles when she is by herself and without her husband. The Hills people are extremely brave and committed to serving their Nation, it should be noted. They have repeatedly shown their courage during war and warfare.
Maangal
During auspicious events like marriages, childbirth, and other religious and social festivals, the folk music genre known as “Maangal” is traditionally performed in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. The songs are said to bring luck and fortune because the word “Maangal” is an auspicious or blessing. Traditional instruments like the dhol, damau, and hurka are used to accompany the lyrics of Maangal songs, which are typically written in the regional Kumaoni or Garhwali dialects.
Laman
Traditional folk music known as laman originates from the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, India. A single artist or a small group of musicians will typically perform this unusual style of music, which combines singing and playing an instrument. Laman songs frequently have deep and depressing tunes and are sung in the regional Garhwali language. The anguish and suffering of the common people and their struggles with poverty, love, and loss are frequently reflected in the lyrics of the Laman songs.
