Madhyamaheshwar Temple, Garhwal – Connectivity

Madhyamaheshwar Temple, Garhwal – Connectivity

The total trek length to cover all the five temples of Panch Kedar is about 170 Kms (including road travel up to Gaurikund), involving 16 days of effort. The trek starts from Gauri Kund, from which there are views of the Himalayan range of hills and the broader Garhwal region, comparable to the Alps. The trekking is undertaken during two seasons; three months during summer and two months after the monsoon season, as during the rest of the period, except Rudranath, the other four Panch Kedar temples are inaccessible due to snow cover.

Madhyamaheshwar Temple is on the Kedarnath road linked by a 13 Kms road to Kalimath from Guptakashi (1,319 m (4,327.4 ft)). Further approach from Guptakashi to the temple (3,490 m (11,450.1 ft)) is only by a 24 Kms trek after 6 Kms by road journey. Guptakashi is on the state highway from Rishikesh via Devprayag, Rudraprayag and Kund. Rishikesh is the entry point to the pilgrim centers of Garhwal Himalayas and is connected by train to the rest of the country. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant at a distance of 20 Kms from Rishikesh, closer to Dehradun, which connects to other destinations in India.

The temple is at a distance of 244 Kms from the Dehradun airport and 227 Kms from Rishikesh, the rail head. From Rishikesh to Kalimath the road distance is 188 Kms. Alternatively, Madhyamaheshwar shrine could be reached from Mansoona, Buruwa and Uniyana, via Ukhimath. From Ukhimath, the route passes through Mansoona (7 Kms), Buruwa (4 Kms), Ransi (3 Kms) then Gaundhar (9 Kms), Bantoli (1 Km) and further 9 Kms moderate climb via Khakhra Khal, and Maikhumba to reach the temple. 

The base of the trek is Uniyana which is 18 Kms away from Ukhimath. From there the trekking way starts. After 3 Kms is Ransi village, a small Chatti, with a place to stay. Then after long 6 Kms comes Gaundhar where there are 3 lodges to stay. After 1 Km lies Bantoli, the point of confluence of Madhyamaheshwar Ganga and Martyenda Ganga. Then comes Khatara, Nanu, and then comes Madhyamaheshwar. The proper trekking distance is 19 Kms from Uniyana.