Located at an elevation of more than 3000 meters, the Madhyamaheshwar Temple is situated 36 kilometres away from the town of Ukhimath. Out of all the Shiva temples in Garhwal, this is one of the most important ones. There are two other smaller shrines of Parvati and Ardhanarishwara situated within the temple. Built by the Pandavas, the middle part of the belly of Lord Shiva is worshipped here.
The locals also refer to this temple as “Madhamaheshwar” which translates to “The Drunken God”. Enshrined in the sanctum currently abodes a navel shaped Lingam amidst the lush green meadows surrounding the temple. Believed to be built by the Pandavas, the only way to reach the Madhyamaheshwar Temple is through a 19-kilometre trek from the Unaina village.
As per locals, the water from this temple is considered to be sacred, and ever a few drops are considered to be enough for absolution. Due to the harsh conditions in winters, the temple is open for worship only from summers to winters. However, during winters the idol is shifted to Ukhimath and is continued to worship.
The Madhyamaheshwar temple is surrounded by massive peaks on all four sides and is known to provide visitors with the most scenic views of the Himalayas. Locals make it a point to attend the aarti daily because it is believed to be highly fulfilling and auspicious.