Maya Devi Temple
Maya Devi Temple is not one of the tourist places in Haridwar, but a major temple of Haridwar. If you are visiting Haridwar, then Maya Devi Temple should be part of the Haridwar local sightseeing list. This temple is a very famous shrine in Haridwar and one of the Shakti Peeths of Devi Sati. This temple is dedicated to Maya Devi, and she is considered a divine form of Shakti, the Mother Goddess. The temple has enormous religious importance and spiritual significance.
Maya Devi Temple – A Shakti Peeth and Siddha Peeth
The most remarkable thing about Maya Devi Temple is that it is one of the Shakti Peeths in Haridwar. According to Hindu Puranas, the navel and heart of Devi Sati fell at this place. Maya Devi is the main deity of this temple, and she is a divine form of Shakti. She is also the Adhisthatri (guardian deity) of Haridwar. Mayapuri was the earlier name of Haridwar, and the name was taken from Maya Devi. The temple is also one of the Siddha Peeths of Haridwar. It means the deity of the temple has the divine power to grant the wishes of her devotees.
Maya Devi Temple – One of the Oldest Temples in Haridwar
The Maya Devi Temple is also one of the oldest temples in Haridwar. Historians and archaeologists have traced back the construction of the temple to the 11th century. Despite its ancient architecture, the temple is an active place of worship for devotees. The main idol is that of Maya Devi, and there are other idols of Goddess Kamakhya and Kali. This is a major temple for devotees who worship Devi Shakti in various forms.
Festivals at Maya Devi Temple
Maya Devi Temple is not only one of the best places to visit in Haridwar, but also a Shakti Peeth temple. Festivals related to Shakti are celebrated with huge festivities and religious rituals. Chaitra Navratri and Sharad Navratri are two of the famous religious festivals that are celebrated in the temple. Devotees visit Maya Devi Temple in huge numbers to seek blessings of the goddess and worship her. They participate in the temple aarti and sing devotional songs and hymns in praise of Maya Devi.
Things to Do at Maya Devi Temple
You can do several things at Maya Devi Temple, such as the ones mentioned below.
- Seek blessings of Maya Devi, the presiding deity of the temple.
- Explore the sacred shrines of Goddess Kali and Kamakhya Devi in the temple complex.
- Get to know about the Shakti Peeth temples and the mythological legend associated with the temple.
- Spend a few moments at the temple and feel the divine vibes.
- Also visit Har ki Pauri after visiting Maya Devi Temple and combine this visit with Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi Temples.
Nearby Places to Visit
Maya Devi Temple is close to other famous places in Haridwar, and you can visit them along with this temple.
- Mansa Devi Temple: The famous temple on top of Bilwa Parwat, where you can go via Mansa Devi Udankhatola or by trekking up the hill.
- Chandi Devi Temple: The temple of Chandi Devi, atop Neel Parwat, where you can go via Chandi Devi Udankhatola (ropeway) or by climbing the steps up the hill.
- Har ki Pauri: Sacred ghat on the Ganga and the place where major rituals are performed by priests and sadhus.
- Bharat Mata Mandir: The eight-storey temple where you will find a relief map of India along with galleries of Hindu gods, goddesses, religious teachers, and spiritual personalities.
- Daksh Mahadev Temple: The temple named after Daksh Prajapati and devoted to Lord Shiva in Kankhal.
- Rajaji National Park: The best place to visit near Haridwar if you want to spot jungle creatures and go on a tiger safari.
Timings
Maya Devi Temple timings are from 6:30 AM in the morning to 9:00 PM. The temple is closed from 12 noon to 3:00 PM.
Entry Fee
There is no entry fee to visit Maya Devi Mandir.
Location
Maya Devi Mandir is located at Birla Ghat in Haridwar and is located 0.6 km from Haridwar Junction Railway Station and 1.5 km from Har ki Pauri.
How to Reach Maya Devi Mandir?
1.) By Air
You can catch a flight to Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun and then reach Haridwar by cab or bus.
2.) By Train
You can board any express train from Delhi, Agra, Chandigarh, Dehradun, and other cities and reach Haridwar.
3.) By Road
National highways connect Haridwar with major cities of India, and you can take buses and cabs to reach Haridwar by road.
Best Time to Visit
The Maya Devi Temple is open in all seasons of the year. But the winter season, or the months from October to March, are best to visit the temple. You can also consider visiting the temple during the upcoming Haridwar Ardh Kumbh Mela 2027 going to take place in Haridwar.