Madhiya Shri Mahadev Mandir Jhansi

Bundelkhand’s biggest Shiva procession takes place from the court of Madiya Mahadev.

Jhansi. The glory of Madiya Mahadev Temple is unique. Bundelkhand’s biggest grand Shiva procession is taken out from this temple every year on Mahashivratri. The history of the temple tells that due to encroachment, Shivalinga could not be worshiped here for almost 70 years. When it started being liberated with the help of the police administration, continuous recitation of Shri Ramayana was carried out in the premises for six consecutive years.

Madiya Mahadev Temple, located in the narrow lanes near Govind Square, is under the Archaeological Department. Mahant of the temple, Rameshwar Prasad Upadhyay tells that this temple was built by the Gosais in the 14th century. Apart from Lord Bholenath, there are separate grandly carved temples of Shri Ram Darbar, Shanidev, Hanuman ji and Shri Radha-Krishna in the complex. According to the Mahant, as soon as the Gosais left, the entire area and temples were encroached upon. Due to this, Bholenath could not be worshiped for almost 70 years.

After 1947, some social workers tried to remove the encroachment with the help of the police but did not achieve complete success. In the year 2011, an elderly Mahant camped here and worshiped for some time but due to encroachment he could not stay.
After this, the attention of the administration came towards this temple during the government of the former Chief Minister, then the police administration camped here for months and all the temples of the complex including the Mahadev temple were freed from encroachment. Since then worship is being done here continuously. In the year 2022, State Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited Bholenath and did a road show during the elections in this temple.
Shiv Baraat continues till 12 midnight
Jhansi. Vinod Samadhiya, the priest of the temple, tells that Shri Ramayana was recited continuously for a whole month in Saavan. On Mahashivratri, a grand procession of Lord Bholenath is taken out from the temple premises at four in the evening. This procession roams throughout Jhansi till 12 o’clock in the night. Thousands of people participate in it. Many organizations bring big tableaux.