Madmaheshwar shrine has various legends and myths surrounding it. One such refers to the times of Mahabharata era. After the Kurukhestra War, where Pandavas were themselves responsible for killing their own kith and kin, they decided to go for pilgrimage to wash away their sins. Advised by Krishna, they went to have a visit of Lord Shiva. But, he was so irate and annoyed with the conduct of Pandavas in the war he decided not to meet them. But, seeing them search and appeal fervently, Lord Shiva appeared in the form of a ferocious bull to scare them off. Bheema, the strongest Pandava, felt that the bull is no ordinary one. So, instead of fleeing, he chased the bull. With full might, he captured the bull from the back, but finding a crevice by the side, the bull pushed its head inside. But, Bheema being strong enough and his strong backward pull scattered the beast into five parts, and gave rise to Panch Kedars. It is said that the navel of the bull fell here. The Shivling inside the sanctum sanctorum is shaped like a navel and hence christened as Madhya Maheshwar. Alternately, the locals also believe the Lord is a drunkard and affectionately is also called as Madmaheshwar.