Haridwar is one of the holiest cities in northern India, Also called as a “Gateway to Shiva” it serves as an exhibition of interesting Hindu temples such as Har Ki Pauri and Maya Devi Temple among many others. This blog focuses on famous Temples in Haridwar. It takes you to a world filled with devotion where Godly and human aspects meet at these sacred places. Many pilgrims also start their journey in Haridwar to reach sacred destinations like Mount Kailash, Kedarnath, and the Char Dham circuit, which are highly revered by Hindus.
Top 7 Temples To Visit In Haridwar
Har Ki Pauri: The Holy Footsteps
Har Ki Pauri, which is a famous ghat located on the banks of River Ganga, has great importance in the holy city Haridwar that lies in Uttarakhand state within India. The term “Har Ki Pauri” signifies “the feet of Lord Vishnu” (Hari). It’s a spiritual place and draws attention from millions of devotees and tourists around the globe.
Har Ki Pauri, located at Haridwar, is said as one of the highly religious ghats where devotees go to immerse themselves in Ganga River. It’s believed that taking a dip in the river here can cleanse one from all sins and grant Moksha (release). The geographical location of this ghat points west on Ganges canal’s bank; this canal changes course slightly northwards from its original path through Haridwar.
Besides its spiritual value, Har Ki Pauri is also one of the popular places to visit in Haridwar. People visit here to feel the energy and beauty of River Ganga, as well as witness the lively atmosphere. Around this area, there are many temples in Haridwar such as Mansa Devi Temple which is famous among tourists too along with Chandi Devi Temple and Daksheswara Mahadev Temple etcetera.
People who come to Har Ki Pauri can also discover temples like the Bharat Mata Mandir and Maya Devi Temple.
Chandi Devi Temple: Seeking Blessings On A Top of Hill
Chandi Devi Temple is devoted to the Hindu goddess Chandi Devi and it’s located at Neel Parvat which is the highest peak on the east side of Shivalik Hills. It was constructed by King Suchat Singh from Kashmir in 1929 but the idol of the main deity has been placed here since the 8th century by great saint Adi Shankaracharya.
Chandi Devi Temple is a Siddh Peetha, which means it’s one of the five holy pilgrimages in Haridwar where people believe their deepest desires come true. Many thousands of pilgrims go to this temple, particularly during the lively festivals like Chandi Chaudas, Navratri and Kumbha Mela. You must also not forget to visit Anjana Temple, which is Hanuman’s mother and Neeleshwar Temple nearby.
The temple gets very busy during festivals such as Navratri, bringing people who do pilgrimages from all over to take part in celebrations and ceremonies for this deity. Chandi Devi Temple is very important culturally and religiously in Haridwar, showing deep spiritual history of India while providing a calm place for followers and tourists as well.
Mansa Devi Temple: Fulfilling Wishes
Located on the Bilwa Parvat, Mansa Devi Temple is one of the famous temples in Haridwar. It’s dedicated to Goddess Mansa, a Hindu goddess of snakes. People believe that their desires will come true if they tie special threads around branches from the holy tree within this temple area.
To reach the temple, you can either climb up steeply or take a ropeway with an amazing view of your surroundings. The main deity, Goddess Mansa, has a silver face and a lively red tongue. People who believe in her think that if they pray to the goddess with dedication and devotion, she will fulfill their desires.
Maya Devi Temple: The Heart Of Haridwar
The temple of Maya Devi in Haridwar is one of most visited temples in Haridwar, It is a place to worship the goddess Maya Devi, who represents an aspect of the strong deity Shakti. This temple has existed since the 11th century and is among the oldest ones in Haridwar that are still standing. It’s located to the east of Har ki Pauri, and can be reached by taking a bus or an auto rickshaw.
Lots of visitors come to the temple, more so when there is Navratri or Kumbh Mela celebration time. Within the temple, there are statues of the goddesses Maya, Kali, and Kamakhya along with two additional representations of Shakti. For those traveling to Haridwar, visiting this temple is highly recommended for worshippers.
Daksha Mahadev Temple: The Legend Of Daksha’s Yagna
The Daksha Mahadev Temple is located in the nearby town of Kankha and it honors Lord Shiva, this temple has an interesting history connected with the tale about King Daksha, who was Sati’s father as well as her husband Lord Shiva.
It’s believed that at this place King Daksha did a yagna but he insulted them when uninvited Sati and Lord Shiva showed up. Sati, filled with anger, set herself on fire in the yagna. This caused Lord Shiva to perform his Tandav dance and then be calmed down by Lord Vishnu.
A big shrine for Lord Shiva is kept in the temple complex, alongside little shrines devoted to Goddess Sati, Lord Vishnu and other gods. There is one very famous attraction which has a big lingam made from black stone called Daksha Mahadev Lingam.
People who have faith believe that praying here leads to calmness and success; it’s particularly good for married couples to come for blessings at this place of worship. Additionally, the temple acts as a symbol for the strength of dedication and outcomes resulting from fury and disgrace.
Bharat Mata Mandir: Saluting Mother India
The Bharat Mata Mandir, which also goes by the name of Mother India Temple, is one of special temples in Haridwar, India. It was set up by Swami Satyamitranand Giri and opened in 1983 with an inauguration from late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The temple’s focus is on Bharat Mata who symbolizes the spiritual and cultural splendor of Mother India.
The building has eight floors and it is 180 feet tall. Each floor represents a different god, hero from mythology or achievement of respected women. The temple accepts everyone, no matter their religion or community. Bharat Mata Mandir in Haridwar is one of the special places to visit in Haridwar, that many tourists visit because it has unique architecture and shows dedication towards the idea of Mother India.
Shri Chintamani Parswanath Jain Temple
The Shri Chintamani Parshwanath Jain Shwetambar Temple, which is an important place for followers of the Jain religion, can be found in Haridwar within the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Its construction happened during the 1990s and Acharya Shri Padmasagarsuri was responsible for leading this project. The temple is located on the road to Rishikesh, close by Shantikunj in the Bhupatwala region of Haridwar.
It’s a place for worshiping Lord Parshwanath, who is highly honored among Jain Tirthankaras. The temple has very detailed carvings and patterns, which is common for Jain places of worship.
Being one of the most popular places to visit in Haridwar, worshippers come here, mostly when there are significant Jain celebrations. You can get to the temple without difficulty using buses or auto rickshaws, and it is a significant place for worship and religious activities for Jain people in this area.
Conclusion
Haridwar, a holy city beside the Ganges river, serves as a spiritual entrance with old temples attracting worshippers for many years. Every temple carries its distinct past and importance, showing the deep religious devotion and cultural legacy of India.
You can see beautiful designs of buildings and very detailed sculptures with holy statues inside the city’s temples. The Ganges river goes through the city, making it more holy.
People do rituals and give offerings at Har ki Pauri Ghat. Being the entry to the gods, Haridwar gives people who visit a lasting feeling of belief, motivation and a stronger bond with godly things.
