Parad Shivling

You may have seen many shivlingas in your life, but nothing will be as amazing as this Parad Shivling in Haridwar. This shivlinga is special as it is made entirely out of solid mercury. The shivlinga, called the Parad Shivlinga, is considered one of the best places to visit in Haridwar. Among the various things to do in Haridwar is to visit the ashram where this particular shivlinga is situated and have darshan of it. A mere look at this shivlinga is enough to surprise you with its unique properties. But you will be even more amazed at learning about the spiritual significance and religious importance of this Parad Shivlinga.

Parad Shivling – Symbol of Divine Power

The Parad Shivlinga is in the Harihar Ashram. The amazing thing about this shivlinga is that it weighs 150 kg. Harihar Ashram is in Kankhal, and this shivlinga is located within the ashram. Tourists and devotees visit Kankhal and have darshan of this unique shivling made of mercury. The shivlinga is a symbol of the divine presence of Lord Shiva. It is the physical manifestation of Lord Shiva on this earth. Moreover, it is made of mercury, and this is why this Parad Shivlinga has attracted tourists to Haridwar.

Harihar Ashram

Harihar Ashram is in Kankhal, which is an ancient town near Haridwar. Kankhal is 4 km from Haridwar, and a cab ride takes around 6 minutes to reach Kankhal. The Parad Shivlinga is located within the ashram premises. The Harihar Ashram is known for its peaceful environment and spiritual activities. There is an ancient Rudraksha tree in the ashram, and it is considered to be the oldest Rudraksha tree in this Haridwar region. Harihar Ashram is the center of an akhara (religious sect), and daily yagna and puja are practiced along with spiritual teachings, meditation, and Yoga.

Spiritual Importance of Parad Shivlinga

A very deep and ancient science is hidden behind the construction of Parad Shivlinga. The mercury that is used to make the Parad Shivlinga represents Lord Shiva. The sulphur used to solidify the liquid silver represents Shakti. This is a unique combination of the elements, which is seen as the union of Shiva and Shakti. Mercury is a very liquid and unstable element and represents the wavering mind. Solidifying this mercury and worshipping it calms the restless mind, and you gain control over it. Moreover, touching a mercury shivlinga can intensify the prayers of the devotees and give religious benefits.

Things to Do at Parad Shivling

There are several things to do at Harihar Ashram, such as the ones shown below.

• Worship the Parad Shivalinga in Harihar Ashram and seek the blessings of Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati.
• Spend some time in front of the shivlinga and meditate for some time.
• Learn about the spiritual significance of mercury used in making the shivlinga.
• Visit other temples and ashrams in the Kankhal area.

Nearby Places to Visit

You can include other places near Parad Shivlinga and visit them as part of the Haridwar Tour Packages.

• Daksh Mahadev Temple – The temple, named after the son of Lord Brahma, Daksh Prajapati, and devoted to Lord Shiva.
• Sati Kund – The natural pond of water near Daksh Mahadev Mandir, where Devi Sati is believed to have immolated herself during the Yagna performed by her father.
• Har Ki Pauri – Sacred ghat on the Ganga where drops of divine nectar fell during Samudra Manthan and a holy pilgrimage site in Haridwar.
• Mansa Devi Temple – The temple on Bilwa Parwat, where goddess Mansa Devi is the main deity and can be reached by Mansa Devi Udankhatola or by trekking.
• Chandi Devi Temple – The temple of goddess Chandi Devi on Neel Parwat, where you can reach via a ropeway ride or by trekking up the hill.
• Maya Devi Temple – The temple of Maya Devi, the guardian deity of Haridwar, and one of the oldest temples in Haridwar.

Timings

Harihar Ashram is open for visitors from 7 AM to 7 PM.

Entry Fee

Visitors are free to enter Harihar Ashram to have darshan and seek the blessings of Lord Shiva.

Location

Parad Shivlinga is located in Harihar Ashram in Kankhal, which is 4 km from Haridwar.

How to Reach Parad Shivling?

• 1.) By Air: Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest airport, and it is in Dehradun. You can take a taxi or bus from the airport and reach Haridwar.
• 2.) By Train: You can board trains from major cities like Delhi, Dehradun, Chandigarh, Amritsar, and get down at Haridwar Junction Railway Station. Then take an auto-rickshaw or cab to reach Kankhal.
• 3.) By Road: Haridwar is connected by national highways to cities like Delhi, Agra, Rishikesh, Dehradun, and others in North India. You can travel by road from these cities and reach Kankhal.

Best Time to Visit Parad Shivling

Generally, Parad Shivlinga can be visited any time of the year. But October to March, which is the winter season, is the best time to visit Haridwar. You can also make travel plans to visit Parad Shivlinga during the Haridwar Ardh Kumbh Mela 2027.

Why Visit Parad Shivling?

You should visit Parad Shivlinga not just to view the shivlinga itself, but also to realize the spiritual importance of the unique metals used to make the shivlinga. The use of mercury heightens the spiritual aura of this shivlinga. It is a very pure metal and is considered very auspicious in Hinduism. If you worship a shivlinga made of mercury, then it stabilizes your thought pattern and makes the mind calmer and free of unstable thoughts. Moreover, the Parad Shivlinga in Kankhal is the original Parad Shivling. Therefore, you should include Parad Shivlinga in your Haridwar local sightseeing tour.