हिंदीOn this day
Standing

Maya Devi Temple, Haridwar

Haridwar was once called Mayapuri after this Devi. She is the city’s presiding Devi and one of its three Siddha Peethas with Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi.

Built: Old stone shrine near Har ki Pauri, often placed in the 11th century; much rebuiltWhere: Uttarakhand (Haridwar)Deity: Maya Devi, presiding Devi of Haridwar29.95° N, 78.16° E
Photo: World8115 · CC BY-SA 3.0

01Mayapuri

Mayapuri is one of the names in the line of seven moksha-giving cities, Ayodhya, Mathura, Maya, Kashi, Kanchi, Avantika and Dwaravati, and Maya there is Haridwar. Its Devi stands in a small shrine in the old town between Har ki Pauri and the railway. She is shown with three heads and four arms, with Kali on one side and Kamakhya on the other. The tradition of Haridwar says the heart and navel of Sati fell here, and the city counts the temple a Shakti Peetha; the Pithanirnaya list of 51 does not name it.

02Three Devis, one circuit

Pilgrims at Haridwar make the round of the three Siddha Peethas: Mansa Devi on Bilwa Parvat above Har ki Pauri, Chandi Devi on Neel Parvat across the Ganga, and Maya Devi in the town between them. Akharas of the Kumbha Mela take Maya Devi’s darshan as they set up camp. Bhairav’s shrine stands beside hers, and the ruined Narayani Shila shrine is a short walk away.

Visiting

In the old town, about 1 km from Har ki Pauri and close to the railway station. Go before the evening Ganga aarti.

Nearby

Mansa Devi Temple, HaridwarStanding
Independent Bharat

Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar

The Devi shrine on Bilwa Parvat above Har ki Pauri, one of the three Siddha Peethas of Haridwar with Chandi Devi and Maya Devi, and one of the city’s Panch Tirthas.

HaridwarStanding
Sultanates, Vijayanagara and the kingdoms that stood

Haridwar

Gangadwara, the gate where the Ganga leaves the hills for the plains, and Mayapuri, one of the seven moksha-giving cities. The evening aarti at Har ki Pauri is watched by thousands every day.

Chandi Devi Temple, HaridwarStanding
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Chandi Devi Temple, Haridwar

The temple of Chandika on Neel Parvat, across the Ganga from Haridwar, where the Devi is said to have rested after slaying Shumbha and Nishumbha. It is one of the three Siddha Peethas of Haridwar.

Daksheswar Mahadev Temple, KankhalRebuilt
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Daksheswar Mahadev Temple, Kankhal

The temple at Kankhal that marks the place of Daksha Prajapati’s yajna, where Mata Sati gave up her body in the sacrificial fire. Haridwar’s tradition holds that Mahadev spends the month of Shravan here.