History, Importance, Timings, Ropeway Ticket, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Chandi Devi Temple, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India
Chandi Devi Temple is one of the most popular and major pilgrimage attraction of Haridwar, the land of God in state of Uttarakhand. It is located on top of Neel Hill of the Shivalik Range of Himalayas at 2900 mts and holds high spiritual importance in Sanatan Dharma. Chandi Devi temple is one of the three Siddh Peeth of Haridwar along with Mansa Devi Temple and Maya Devi Temple. Chandi Devi temple is dedicated to goddess Chandi or Chandika the powerful form of goddess Shakti who manifested to kill the evil. The present structure of temple was established by Suchan Singh, the king of Kashmir in 1929. But it is believed that main idol of goddess Chandi Devi was installed by Jagadguru Shri Adi Shankaracharya in 8th century. Chandi Devi temple is also named as Neel Parvat Teerth, one of the five main pilgrimage or Panch Teerth of Haridwar. It is also believed that goddess Chandi and goddess Mansa are form of goddess Parvati and thus reside close to each other. Thus in Haridwar, Mansa devi temple is located on one side of Gange on top of Bilwa Parvat and Chandi devi temple is located on other side of river gange on top of Neel Parvat.
Every day, thousands of pilgrims across the world visits here throughout the year and number increase very high during the Navaratri, Chandi Chaudas, and Kumbh Mela.
Interesting legend is associated with Chandi Devi Temple, it is believed that demon king Shumbh and Nishumbh had captured the kingdom of Lord Indra and started devil activities everywhere. Then Gods did intense worship of goddess Parvati and requested for help to sort out this situation. Goddess Parvati, pleased with their worship and took form of beautiful women Chandi. Demon Shumbh amazed by her beauty and desired to marry her but goddess had refused to marry with him. Then Shumbh had sent his demon chiefs Chanda and Munda to kill her. On seeing the Chand and Mund, goddess Chandi had created powerful goddess Chamundi from here anger. Goddess Chamundi had killed both Chand and Mund. Then, Shumbh and Nishumbh had jointly tried to kill goddess Chandi but both were killed by the goddess. Thereafter, Goddess Chandi had taken rest for some time at the top of Neel Parvat. Later on Chandi devi temple was built here. . The two peaks located in the mountain range are known as Shumbha and Nishumbha.
The location of Chandi Devi temple is unique and at such height that you can enjoy the panoramic view of entire Haridwar along with beautiful view of holy river Gange. Sometime people also referred Chandi Devi temple as Neel Parvath Tirth as it is located on top of Neel Parvat and one of the Panch Tirth – five holy site of Haridwar. Chandi Devi temple is well known for being the holy abode of goddess Chandi, a form of goddess Parvati. Thus, every year millions of devotee visits here during their Haridwar tour.
Chandi Devi Temple can be reached via ropeway called Chandi Devi Udankhatola or walk uphill on feet. You have to walk for around 4 km on hill to reach temple which takes around 45 to 60 min. Thus, it becomes best destination for trekking lover. There are certain two wheel vehicle like bike or activa which you can use to reach to top of hill. Early morning time is preferable to trek uphill. You can also find several shop of water bottle and Shikanji as well. At top and ground, you can find shops to purchase Prasad to offer goddess Mansa Devi. The temple of Anjana, mother of Hanumanji is located near Chandi Devi Temple and Neeleshwar Temple is situated at the foot of the Neel Parvat.
Chandi Devi ropeway ticket for individual is around 350 Rs and from ropeway you can enjoy the picturesque view of River Gange and Haridwar.
As Haridwar is one of the most popular pilgrimage centre for Sanatan Dharm and entry gate to Char Dham Yatra of Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath, millions of devotee across the world visits here throughout the year. Especially during festivals, Char Dham Yatra period and vacation, you can see tremendous flow of devotee at all the place of Haridwar and mainly at Har ki Pauri during the evening Ganga Aarti. As, millions of pilgrims reach here, to facilitate them lots of Ashram, Dharmshala, Hotels and guest house established to accommodate. Lots of restaurant and shopping market are well developed. Especially winter collection and ritual related items are available in lots of variety and at affordable price. Also you can find lots of travel agency and guide service here in Haridwar. For any assistance, pilgrims can connect us on 9979242505.
Best time to visit Chandi Devi Mandir is during the October to March and Navratri. Summer is quite hot here and it will be tough to walk during summer so devotee should avoid to visit during April and May.
How to Reach Chandi Devi Temple, Haridwar, The Gate way of Supreme Lord, Uttarakhand, India
Chandi Devi temple is one the most popular and must visit pilgrimage site of Haridwar where thousands of devotee and tourist reaches around the year during their Haridwar tour. It is located just 3 km from Har ki Pauri, 4 km from railway station so devotee can easily reach via auto or private vehicle. Haridwar is one of the Sapt Puri – Seven holy pilgrimage of Sanatan Dharma which grants pilgrims with Moksha. Haridwar is very well connected with all the major cities of India via road, rail and air network. Haridwar has major railway junction which is well connected with all major cities across India. Also you can easily reach Haridwar via road network of national and state highway. Nearest airport from Haridwar is Jolly Grant Airport located in Dehradun, the capital of state of Uttarakhand at just 37 km from Haridwar. You can get flights to almost all cities of India from here. For local transport, Haridwar has a good public and private transport facility to reach any part of city easily. You can get taxi, auto rickshaw and now lots of e rickshaw also available to reach each temple of city. Haridwar is located at around 54 km from Dehradun, 30 km from Rishikesh – the Yoga capital of world, 90 km from Mussoorie, 240 km from Delhi, 190 km from UttarKashi and 203 km from Guptkashi.
