The middle part
After the Kurukshetra war Shiva hid from the Pandavas as a bull. It sank into the ground and came up in five parts. The navel surfaced here, so this is the middle (madhya) Kedar.
After the trail · the almanac
The trek in four numbers
Madmaheshwar is the second of the five Panch Kedar temples, and the least visited.
3,497m
Madmaheshwar temple
38km
Walking, over 3 days
7,138m
Chaukhamba I, in view
2km
Up to Budha Madmaheshwar
💪 Moderate🌸 May–Jun🍂 Sep–Oct🛕 Panch Kedar🏠 Homestays
Day by day
Four days, step by step
This is Himalayan Dream Treks' plan, whose days add up to 38 km on foot.
How high you are on each kilometre
- Day 1Rishikesh → Ransi → GaundarDrive via Ukhimath, then walk down~200 km · 8–9 h, then 5 km🛏️ Gaundar · homestay
- Day 2Gaundar → MadmaheshwarSteep climb from Bantoli13 km · 6–7 h🛏️ Madmaheshwar · 3,497 m
- Day 3Budha Madmaheshwar → GaundarSunrise on Chaukhamba, then down15 km · 7–8 h🛏️ Gaundar
- Day 4Gaundar → Ransi → RishikeshShort climb out, then the drive5 km · 2 h, then ~200 km
Stories and nature
Shiva's navel
From Karnataka
The priests are Jangamas of the Veerashaiva community from Mysore. In winter the deity moves down to the Omkareshwar temple in Ukhimath.
Budha Madmaheshwar
A tiny blackened shrine on the ridge above the temple faces Chaukhamba. At sunrise the peaks are reflected in the pond beside it.
Musk deer and monal
The whole trail is inside the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, home to the Himalayan monal and the musk deer, locally called kasturi deer.
When to go
Spring and autumn
The temple is open from about late May to November. Avoid the monsoon.
May–June
The temple opened on 21 May in 2026. Days 8–20 °C, nights 5–10 °C.
July–August
Monsoon: a slippery climb after Bantoli, leeches lower down, and landslides on the road.
Sep–Oct
The clearest views. Days 10–17 °C, nights 1–10 °C.
Nov–Apr
The temple closes in November. Heavy snow blocks the trail in winter.
Plan your trip
Getting to Ransi
Rishikesh and Haridwar are the railheads. Jolly Grant, Dehradun, is the nearest airport. Ukhimath is 202 km from Haridwar.
- Rishikesh🚌 Bus to Ukhimath, 12–13 h, about ₹300
- Ukhimath🚙 Shared cab, 20 km
- Ransi
The road goes on 1.5 km past Ransi to Aktholi Dhar, the last motorable point.
Cost
Himalayan Dream Treks charges ₹10,999 + 5% GST, Rishikesh or Haridwar and back, with transport and permits.
Registration
StayVista says you register at the Ransi forest checkpost, ₹150–200, with a photo ID. Carry one either way.
Stays
Homestays and lodges at Ransi, Bantoli and the temple. Bikat quotes about ₹500–600 a night with meals.
Knees
The trail is a long descent one way and a steep climb the other. Good shoes and a trekking pole help.
Good to know
The small things
Cash, signal, water, permits and help on the way. Checked October 2026; confirm with your operator.
Bring cash
The last ATMs are in Ukhimath. There are none at Ransi or on the trail. StayVista
Phone signal
Major networks work up to Ransi. There is no coverage on the trail. Bikat Adventures
Charging
There is no electricity near the temple. Carry a power bank. Treks and Trails
Food and water
Homestays serve meals and let you refill bottles. Small stalls on the way sell snacks and drinks. Bikat Adventures
Stays
Homestays and lodges at Ransi, Bantoli and the temple, about ₹500–600 a night with meals. Camping is allowed if you bring your own gear. Bikat Adventures
Registration
Register at the Ransi forest checkpost on the day, ₹150–200 a head, with a photo ID. No advance permit is needed. StayVista
Temperatures
In September and October, about 10–17 °C by day and 1–10 °C at night. Himalayan Dream Treks
Mules and porters
Mules and porters can be hired at Ransi. The fee is negotiable. StayVista
By bus
Buses and shared taxis leave Haridwar and Rishikesh from 4 am. Change at Rudraprayag and Ukhimath for Ransi. Tripoto
Temple dates
The temple opened on 21 May in 2026. It closes around Kartik Purnima, in early November. Himalayan Dream Treks
What to pack
Your checklist
Tick items as you pack. Your ticks stay saved on this device. Items with a red price can be rented.
Clothing
Shoes
Gear
Papers and money
List from Himalayan Dream Treks: Madmaheshwar trek, things to carry.
Rent or buy
Where to get gear
Many operators lend tents, sleeping bags and spikes. Ask yours before you rent.
Dehradun before you leave
Himalayan Dream TreksRent · shoes, jackets, bags, trek pants, ponchos, gloves, sunglasses, poles, torches, power banks10 B Mothorowala Road, Dharampur, Ajabpur Kalan · +91 80896 93825 · Website
Shop details are from each shop's own page. Phone to confirm prices and stock.
Who runs it
Choose an operator
We found 6 operators selling Madmaheshwar in October 2026. Their plans run 3 to 5 days, and what the price covers varies a lot, so compare the basis.
Prices are base prices from each operator's own page (October 2026); most add 5% GST. Ratings are what each operator shows, not an independent audit. Names marked † show last season's price or one seen only in a search snippet.