History, Importance, Timings, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Maya Devi Temple, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India
Maya Devi Temple is one of the most popular and ancient temple of Haridwar, the land of God in state of Uttarakhand. Haridwar is also known as Mayapuri in ancient time and also mentioned in several holy text of Sanatan Dhama, which named after the Goddess Maya as the chief deity and guardian of Haridwar. It is located near Birla Ghat in world famous Har Ki Pauri so you can easily reach by walk or auto and holds high spiritual importance in Sanatan Dharma. Maya Devi temple is one of the three Siddh Peeth of Haridwar along with Mansa Devi Temple and Chandi Devi Temple. Maya Devi temple is dedicated to goddess Maya the incarnation of goddess Shakti. As per the local belief, Maya Devi temple is one of the Shakti Peeth temple as heart and navel of goddess Sati fallen down here. Maya devi temple is one of the three ancient temple of Haridwar built in 11th century and other two ancient temples are Narayana Shila and Bhairav Temple.
The inner shrine of temple has beautiful and attractive idols of Goddess Maya in center and Goddess Kali on left side and goddess Kamakhya on right side. Idols of goddess maya is three-headed and four-armed deity who is believed to be an incarnation of Shakti. Pradakshina path around the sanctum sanatorium of the Maya Devi temple has illustrations of the Dash Mahavidayas which makes it highly importance in follower of Shaktism. The temple is a Siddh Peetha which means that the places of worship where every individual’s desires get fulfilled. Every day, thousands of pilgrims across the world visits here throughout the year and number increase very high during the Navaratri and Kumbh Mela.
During your visit of Maya Devi Mandir, you can also visit Anand Bhairav mandir which is located a few yards away in the temple complex. The Maya Devi and Anand Bhairav shrines are managed by Juna Akhara. Lots of social and spiritual activities are managed by temple including free meal to devotees during afternoons and evenings.
Interesting legend is associated with Maya Devi Temple. As per the Markandeya Puran, Sati, daughter of King Daksh Prajapati, was great devotee of Lord Shiva and did intense penance to please Lord Shiva. Finally Lord Shiva had accepted her hand for marriage. But King Daksha was not happy with this marriage. To insult Lord Shiva, Daksha held Yagya and invited all God and reputed persons except the Sati and Lord Shiva. Sati had decided to confront her father at Yagya. Lord Shiva tried to stop her by doing this but Sati went to Yagya. King Daksh did not welcomed her and use this occasion to insult her and Lord Shiva in front of all God and reputed individuals. Sati could not bear this humiliation and jumped into holy pyre of the Yagya. Once Lord Shiva got this information; he was deeply pain and anger on Daksh. Lord Shiva had created Virbhadra and Bhadrakali with extra ordinary super power and order to kill Daksh and his army. Then Lord Shiva picked up Sati with burning body and unleashed his fury in form of legendary Tandava, dance of destruction. The other God and people started worried about safety of whole universe and requested Lord Vishnu the supreme Lord, to help out in this situation. Lord Vishnu used the Sudarashan Chakra and cut the body of Ma Devi Sati in pieces. As per the legends, Sati’s heart and navel was fall down over spot marked by Maya Devi Temple. Thus this temple is one of the main Shaki Peeth and Siddh Peeth across 51 Shakti Peeth.
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 Maya 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 Maya Devi Temple, Haridwar, The Gate way of Supreme Lord, Uttarakhand, India
Maya 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 1.5 km from Har ki Pauri, 2 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.
