Madhyamaheshwar Temple (Panch Kedar)

Significance Of Panch Kedar Madhyamaheshwar Temple

The Panch Kedar Madhyamaheshwar temple, a part of the Panch Kedar circuit, is one of the oldest places of worship dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Madhyamaheshwar Shivling is neither the tallest nor the greatest. However, it stands apart because of the structure forming a navel shape.

The name Madhyamaheshwar is a combination of two Sanskrit words. Madhy means the centre or the core, and Maheshwar is another name for Lord Shiva. Thus, the name Madhyamaheshwar forms the meaning of the core of Shiva, representing his navel.

• Astrological Significance

According to the scriptures, it is believed that people who visit the Madhyamaheshwar temple get rid of their sins and are able to attain salvation. People believe that seeking forgiveness at the Madhyamaheshwar temple helps one attain the strength to accept the wrongdoings in their life.

Just like other Panch Kedar temples, the Madhyamaheshwar temple is also open to the public for 6 months and is closed during winter. For the season when the temple remains closed, the adobe of the Shri Madmaheshwar is in the Shri Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath. A grand procession following a certain set of rules and rituals is performed before the closing and opening of the temple.

Worship At Madhyamaheshwar Temple

It is believed that different temples have different ways of worshipping the presiding deities. So, is in the case of the Panch Kedar Madhyamaheshwar temple. Let us have a look at some of these rituals followed at the Madhyamaheshwar temple. These are as follows:

1. The worship at the Madhyamaheshwar temple is only done for a period of six months, as in winter, the temple is closed to the general public.
2. Before the gates of the temple open to the public, a special procession is done. Two days before the opening, a special puja is done at the winter residence of the idol in Omkareshwar at Ukhimath.
3. The palanquin that carries the Madhyamaheshwar Shivling is known as the Utsav Doli, and it commences its journey 2 days prior to the date when the gates of Madhyamaheshwar open.
4. It is believed that only one drop of this water can help a person purify themselves from within.

• Astrological Rituals And Remedies

1. It is believed that offering water and bel leaves to the Shiva linga at the Madhmeshwar Uttarakhand temple can help one balance the ill effects of Rahu and Ketu.
2. Chanting the Rudra Gayatri mantra while performing abhishekham or offering water to the Shiva linga is also considered beneficial for a person.
3. Performing Rudraabhishekam during an eclipse can help remove the karmic burden from a person’s life.
4. Lastly, it is advised that a person facing adverse effects because of Saturn’s effects should Circumambulate the temple 7 times to reduce these effects.

Architecture Of Panch Kedar Madhyamaheshwar Temple

The architecture of the Madmaheshwar temple is what sets it apart from other Panch Kedar. Considered to be one of the toughest pilgrim sites to visit by man, this temple still sees hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, depicting the love and devotion for Lord Shiva. Let us now explore the architectural style and the design of this Panch Kedar temple.

• Highlights Of Madhyamaheshwar Panch Kedar

1. The architecture of the temple is done in the classic Nagra Architectural style of Northern India. It consists of a tall and curvilinear shikhara, blending it perfectly with the serene beauty surrounding it.
2. The temple's architecture is done in a way that does not cut off the natural and environmental beauty around it. But, in turn, enhances it by making the temple appear to be a part of nature.
3. Made with black stones, the temple consists of an internal part dedicated to the worship of Goddess Parvati.
4. The pillars and the doorways of the temple are covered in intricate and detailed stone-cut figurines and carvings, depicting extraordinary work without the use of modern tools.
5. The temple’s internal shrine has a dedicated space for the worship of Goddess Parvati and Nandi. There is also a dedicated space for the worship of Ardhanarishwara, which is the combined form of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The formation of the internal sanctum is based on the alignment of the Vastu Parush.

Read About Other Panch Kedar Temples