Maa Chandi Devi Temple in Haridwar

Located in the holy city of Haridwar is Maa Chandi Devi Temple. Dedicated to goddess Chandi Devi, the temple graces the top of the Neel Parvat of the Shivalik Hills. The temple looks humble in its making and is considered to be a very powerful and important Shakti Peeth and Siddh Peeth in India. The current temple structure was built in 1929 by Suchat Singh during his reign in Kashmir. The temple is not only spiritually powerful but it gives expansive and stunning views of the valley below. It is one of those rare Shakti Peeths where people get what they desire. Maa Chandi Devi Temple is one of the 3 temples Shakti Peeths located in Haridwar along with Mansa Devi and Maya Devi Temple.

About Chandi Devi Temple Haridwar

The temple was built in 1929, however, the presiding idol of goddess Chandi was put there during the 8th century by Adi Shankaracharya. Goddess Chandi, also known as goddess Chandika, is also another form of Mahadevi Durga. The temple is one of the oldest and the most ancient temples of India. The temple is a sight to behold during special holidays and festivals celebrating the goddess. Thousands of devotees flock to the temple during events such as Kumbh Mela and Navratri. It is also a must visit for pilgrims visiting Haridwar. Being located on the edge of a hilltop, the temple is truly a sight to behold.

History

As per the mythology 2 demons, Shumbh and Nishumbh had captured the kingdom of Lord Indra. Later on, the demon Shumbh got attracted by the goddess’s beauty and wished to marry her. After the goddess refused the proposal, the demon sent 2 of their chiefs to fight with goddess Chandi. As a result of this, the goddess created Chandika to get rid of all the demons. Chandika Devi killed Chand Mund and Shumbh Nishumbh. The entire battle took place on Neel Parvat. To mark this momentous battle, a Chandi Devi Temple was built. This clearly shows that this temple is extremely important.

Architecture

This charming ancient Devi Temple is very simply built. Although a humble temple, it commands a very powerful effect on its devotees. The trekkers hike up to the temple and the resulting temple beauty feels like a prize. From here people get to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the entire holy town of Haridwar below. The temple architecture is an embodiment of simplicity and humble bearings. It is a simple facade topped off with a flag. Marking the temple’s presence on top of the hill is a solid white colored dome-shaped structure representing indo-Saracenic architecture.

Temple Timing

The weather remains clear almost throughout the year. Many pilgrims and devotees can make their way to the temple anytime of the year. The temple timings for Chandi Devi Temple is from 7 am to 7 pm. You can go there for a sunrise trek or even a sunset trek. It takes about an hour to 2 hours to cover the entire temple hiking experience. No matter how much time it takes, the temple trek to Maa Chandi Devi Temple is worth every second. The early morning Aarti at the temple begins at 5:30 am. Another reason for you to put on your hiking / spiritual boots and head up to the temple.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Chandi Devi Temple is from October to February. This is the time when the weather is pleasant and sightseeing / going from one place to another is not a hassle. The temperature during this time remains between 30 to 8 or 9 Degrees Celsius. This is why you will find numerous devotees at the temple at any given point of the year. March to June is another favourable time to travel to the Chandi Devi Temple. It is neither too cold or too hot. The skies are clear and there is not even a single speck of cloud. During these months you may not even need to carry heavy woollen clothing.

The monsoon months from July to September should be avoided. If you still plan on going there during these months, you should plan your trip accordingly. Tourism is low during these times and the accommodations and Haridwar packages are available at highly discounted rates. However, one must proceed with caution during the monsoons season in Haridwar.

How to Reach

The temple is located at a distance of 4 kms from the landmark Har Ki Pauri. To reach the temple, trekkers must follow a simple 3 kms of trekking route from Chandighat. The trek consists of stairs. To make the ascent easier for the pilgrims, a ropeway or cable car system has been introduced. The ropeway is called Chandi Devi Udan Khatola and was introduced to make the shrine accessible to a larger group of people.

People visiting the nearby Mansa Devi shrine can also choose to visit Maa Chandi Devi Temple via a ropeway ride. Trekking or ropeway, no matter which mode of transportation one uses, the views and scenes of the entire route are extremely breathtaking.

Haridwar is a very popular holy town. It is visited by thousands of devotees and pilgrims throughout the year. It is accessible to people from nearby as well as far-off cities and towns. Haridwar is very well connected through roadways and railways as well. The drive up to Haridwar is very easy since the town is located almost on the plains. People also choose to go there by private/government buses.

Travel Tips

If you are planning on a holiday to Maa Chandi Devi Mandir, there are a couple of things that you should keep in mind, especially if you are going there for the first time.

• Get yourself a good pair of walking shoes. It is important for the pilgrims to be comfortable while walking/hiking on the hills. A good pair of quality shoes will do the job for you.
• There are many accommodation options available near Maa Chandi Devi Temple. Make sure to pick the one that is located very close to the hilltop. Especially if you are looking forward to attending the Aarti procession.
• The temple is located very close to several sightseeing tourist attractions in Haridwar. These places include Rajaji National Park, Shantikunj, Patanjali Yogpeeth, Rishikesh, and other temples like Mansa Devi.
• Do not carry any alcohol or other such substance since this is a very holy town and this is banned.
• Leather accessories are banned in the temple. So make sure not to weather leather items.
• Maa Chandi Devi Temple is a very beautifully located powerful Mata temple. A visit here will prove to be a rejuvenating one.