Gaundar Madhyamaheshwar Temple (Panch Kedar)- Uttarakhand

Address

Gaundar Madhyamaheshwar Temple (Panch Kedar)- Madhyamaheshwar Temple Trek road, Gaundar Village, Garhwal district, Uttarakhand 246469

Diety

Madhyamaheshwar

Introduction

Madhyamaheshwar, also known as Madmaheshwar, is a sacred dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is situated in the village of Goundar in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand, India. Perched at an elevation of 3,497 meters (11,473.1 feet) above sea level, this temple is an essential pilgrimage site. This temple holds a special place as one of the five temples in the Panch Kedar pilgrimage circuit, which encompasses five Shiva temples scattered across the Garhwal region. The other temples in this revered circuit are Kedarnath, Tungnath, and Rudranath. Madhyamaheshwar, which translates to the middle (madhya) or belly part or navel (nabhi) of Lord Shiva, is the central deity of this temple. According to tradition, it is believed that the Pandavas, the legendary figures from the epic Mahabharata, built this temple. This pilgrimage site attracts devotees and visitors who come to pay their respects and seek spiritual blessings in the breathtaking natural beauty of the Garhwal Himalayas.

Puranic Significance

The Madhyamaheshwar Temple is a sacred place of worship dedicated to the divine form of Lord Shiva, specifically focusing on the middle (madhya) or belly part or navel (nabhi) of the bull, which symbolizes Lord Shiva. According to tradition, this temple is believed to have been constructed by the Pandavas, the heroic figures from the epic Mahabharata.

The legend of Madhyamaheshwar is intimately connected to the larger narrative of the Panch Kedar, a captivating tale that recounts the Pandavas’ efforts to seek atonement for their sins, including the fratricide (gotra-hatya) of their cousins, the Kauravas, and the killing of Brahmins (Brāhmanahatya) during the Mahabharata war. Advised by sages and guided by Lord Krishna, their benefactor, the Pandavas embarked on a journey to seek Lord Shiva’s forgiveness and blessings for salvation.

However, Lord Shiva, upset with the Pandavas’ actions during the Kurukshetra war, tried to avoid them by assuming the form of a bull, known as Nandi, and headed for the Himalayan Garhwal region. The determined Pandavas, upon spotting Shiva in the form of the bull grazing in the hills of Guptakashi, attempted to hold the bull forcibly by its tail and hind legs. The bull, representing Lord Shiva, then disappeared into the ground, only to reappear later in his original divine form at five different locations. These locations include Madhyamaheswar, where his navel and stomach are believed to be present.

In response to this divine revelation, the Pandavas built temples at each of these five places, worshiped Lord Shiva in various forms, and sought his blessings for salvation.

The Madhyamaheshwar Temple is constructed in the north Indian style of architecture and is nestled in a lush meadow beneath a high ridge. The temple’s primary deity is a navel-shaped Shiva Lingam made of black stone, enshrined in the sanctum. Additionally, there are two smaller shrines within the temple complex: one dedicated to Shiva’s consort, Parvati, and the other to Ardhanarishwara, representing the half-Shiva and half-Parvati form. Legend has it that Bhima, one of the Pandava brothers, built this temple and worshiped Lord Shiva here.

Adjacent to the main temple, there is a smaller shrine housing an image of Saraswati, the goddess of learning, sculpted in marble, signifying the reverence for knowledge and wisdom in the Hindu tradition.

Overall, the Madhyamaheshwar Temple is a place of great religious significance, steeped in mythology and history, and stands as a testament to the deep spiritual and cultural heritage of the region.

Special Features

The Madhyamaheshwar Temple complex comprises two significant temples:

Vriddh-Madmaheshwar Temple: This older temple, known as ‘Vriddh-Madmaheshwar,’ is a tiny blackened shrine situated on the ridge. It offers a panoramic view of the majestic Chaukhamba Mountain peaks, creating a spiritually uplifting atmosphere. This ancient shrine likely holds historical and architectural significance, serving as a connection to the temple’s rich past.
Current Temple: The main temple, known as the current Madhyamaheshwar Temple, houses a navel-shaped Shiva Lingam made of black stone in its sanctum. This Shiva Lingam represents the divine aspect of Lord Shiva related to his middle or belly part, emphasizing the temple’s unique focus. It is this lingam that is the primary object of worship for devotees who visit the temple seeking blessings and spiritual solace.

Within the complex, there are two smaller shrines:

Parvati Shrine: One of these shrines is dedicated to Shiva’s divine consort, Parvati. Devotees often pay their respects to both Lord Shiva and Parvati, recognizing their inseparable bond as a divine couple.
Ardhanarishwara Shrine: The other shrine is dedicated to Ardhanarishwara, a unique representation of Lord Shiva and Parvati combined into one form, with half of the image depicting Shiva and the other half portraying Parvati. This image symbolizes the harmonious union of male and female energies in the universe.

It is believed that Bhima, one of the Pandava brothers from the Mahabharata, played a pivotal role in building this temple and fervently worshiped Lord Shiva here. This association with the Pandavas adds to the temple’s historical and mythological significance.