What to know:

Sitting pretty on the foothills of towering peaks in the state's Garhwal region, Madhyamaheshwar (also known as Madhmaheshwar) is a revered religious site. One of the Panch Kedars (holy temples dedicated to Lord Shiva), Madhyamaheshwar is located in the district of Rudraprayag and is steeped in mythology and folklore. According to legend, after the epic Mahabharat war, the Pandavas wanted to pay reverence to Lord Shiva in order to absolve them from their sin. On sighting the approaching Pandavas, Lord Shiva turned into a bull in order to illude them. But Bhima, one of the five Pandava brothers, recognised the Lord and pursued him relentlessly. Lord Shiva divided his body into five parts to escape Bhima. The sites where the five parts of the Lord appeared are revered as the Panch Kedar. The middle-torso of the Lord is said to have appeared in Madhyamaheshwar ('madhya' in Hindi means middle). To reach the temple, visitors and pilgrims embark on a tedious 24-km-long trek. This arduous hike, however, is worth the effort as visitors are treated to uninterrupted views of green land and surrounding mountains. The temple stands opposite the Chaukhamba, Neelkanth and Kedarnath mountain peaks. 

Best time to visit:

Between the months of May and September