Maya Devi Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Goddess Maya in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. Goddess Maya is an incarnation of Goddess Shakti and is the Adhisthatri of the city. The temple is one among the three prominent Siddha Peetha in Haridwar. The Chandi Devi temple and the Mansa Devi temple being the other two of the trio.
It is a popular belief that the goddesses of the Siddha Peethas fulfil the desires of her sincere devotees. This temple is also among the Char Dham Yatra package within Uttarakhand.
Planning to visit this temple? Have a look at our Char Dham Yatra Tour Package.
Maya Devi Temple – Facts
| Deity | Goddess Maya (Goddess Shakti) |
| Location | Haridwar, Uttrakhand |
| Significance | Siddha Peetha |
| Tours | Char Dham Yatra |
| Darshan Timings | 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM; 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM |
| Entry Fee | Free |
| Best Time to Visit | September to April |
| Festivals | Navratri |
What are the timings of Maya Devi Temple?
The temple opens at 6:00 am and closes at 8:00 pm.
| Timings | From | To |
| Morning | 6 AM | 12 PM |
| Evening | 2 PM | 8 PM |
What is the significance of the Maya Devi Temple?
The significance of Maya Devi Temple relates to the main deity, Goddess Maya, who has three heads and four arms. The inner shrine of the temple consists of the idols of the three forms of Goddess Shakti. Goddess Maya commands attention in the centre, with Kali Mata on her left and Kamakhya on her right. A pradakshina path around the sanctum sanatorium of the temple has illustrations of the ten Dash Mahavidayas. This makes this shakti peetha an important pilgrimage destination in Shaktism.
What is the history of Maya Devi Temple?
According to history, Haridwar was formerly called ‘Mayapuri,’ named after the city’s guardian deity, Goddess Maya. The Maya Devi Temple is one of the three ancient temples which dates back to the eleventh century. The Narayana-Shila and the Bhairav temple are among the other two undamaged temples of the same era.
Sati was an incarnation of Goddess Adishakti, born as a blessing to Prajapati Daksha and Queen Prasuti. Goddess Shakti took birth as human to reunite with her consort, Lord Shiva.
Coming of age, Sati was mesmerised by Lord Shiva and wished to marry him. Daksha, however, was enraged by Shiva as he cut off one of Lord Bramha‘s five heads. As a bid to avenge his father’s beheading, Daksha refused to give Sati’s hand to Shiva for marriage. Eventually giving in to wishes of the Gods, Sati and Shiva were wed.
A yajna, organized by Daksha, soon after the wedding saw him invite all the gods and goddesses with an exception of Sati and Shiva. Since Sati was Daksha’s daughter, she did not feel the need for seeking an invitation. She attended the yajna despite Shiva’s warnings.
The yajna saw Daksha’s insolence when he disrespected Lord Shiva. Humiliated and unable to hear impolite remarks against her husband, Sati immolated herself. Goddess Shakti left the body.
Shiva, anguished, carried Sati’s charred body in his arms and performed Tandava. Fearing destruction due to Shiva’s cosmic dance, the gods sought help from Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu sent his Sudharshan Chakra which cut Sati’s body into 52 parts which fell on earth.
The places where the goddess’s remains fell are called shakti peethas. The Maya Devi Temple is one of the 52 shakti peethas and it is believed to be the site where the goddess’s heart and navel fell.
What are the festivals celebrated at Maya Devi Temple?
A major festival celebrated in the temple is Navratri.
Navratri or Durga Puja: It is a famous festival, celebrated as a symbol of victory of good over evil. As per legend, Goddess Durga defeated the demon king Mahishasura to save the world and restore Dharma. Navratri is celebrated across India for nine days. Celebrations in the temple include stage decorations, recital of the legend, enacting of the story, and chanting of the scriptures of Hinduism.
How to reach Maya Devi Temple?
Here’s how to reach Maya Devi Temple Haridwar:
- Air: The nearest airport is the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, at a distance of 35 km from the temple.
- Train: The nearest railway station is Haridwar, at a distance of 0.5 km from the temple.
- Road: Buses for Haridwar are available from ISBT Kashmere Gate in Delhi.
Where to stay near Maya Devi Temple?
Some of the places where one can stay near Maya Devi Temple Haridwar while undertaking the Char Dham Yatra are:
- Radisson Blu Haridwar: It is a five-star hotel for a luxurious stay. It provides spacious rooms, excellent food, high speed wireless internet, a steam room and a gym. It is at a distance of 13 km from Mansa Devi Temple.
- Ganga Lahiri: It is a hotel that provides pick-up from the railway station by cycle rickshaw. It also provides a peaceful and aesthetically appeasing interior along with a great view of Ganga.
- Golden Tulip Haridwar: It is a four-star hotel at a 7.6 km drive from Haridwar Railway Station. This hotel boasts off excellent service in food as well as cleanliness. Moreover, guests can also avail massage therapies at the in-house massage centre.
What are some temples near Maya Devi Temple?
Some of the temples near Maya Devi Temple Haridwar are:
- Chandi Devi Temple, Haridwar: Present atop the neel parvat in Haridwar, this temple is in the honour of Goddess Chandi. The temple is also one of the panch teerth present in Haridwar. The presiding deity, Chandi or Chandika is a form of Goddess Parvati and exists in close association with Mansa Devi.
- Har ki pauri, Haridwar: Har ki pauri is a religious bathing ghat in Haridwar. Literally translating to ‘Steps of Shiva’, it is on the banks of Ganga, at the point where it leaves mountains and enters the plains. It is said that a dip in the Ganges at Har ki pauri absolves one of his/ her sins.
- Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar: Mansa Devi Temple is a Hindu temple for goddess Mansa, on top of Bilwa Parvat in Haridwar. Also, popular as ‘Bilwa Teerth’, this temple is among the panch teerth within Haridwar. ‘Mansa’ means ‘wish’ and it is a popular belief among the devotees that the goddess fulfills their wishes.
- Neelkanth Mahadev Temple: It is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, in the Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. The main deity of the temple is ‘Neelkanth’ who is a form of Lord Shiva and has a blue throat due to effect of consuming poison. It also contains various scriptures depicting ‘Samudramanthan’ by Devas and Asuras, which is mythologically relevant to the temple.
- Bharat Mata Mandir, Haridwar: It is a temple dedicated to ‘Bharat Mata’ or ‘Mother India’. The temple is present alongside Samanvay Ashram on the banks of Ganga. It is 8 storeys tall, with each storey depicting an era in Indian history, from the days of Ramayana until Indian Independence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the Maya Devi Temple is open all 365 days of the year.
The entry to the Maya Devi Temple is free.
Although you can visit the temple any time of the year, ideally, February, March, August, September, and October are the best times to visit the Maya Devi Temple.
Mansa Devi Temple is 2.4 km from the Maya Devi Temple and it takes approximately 11 minutes to travel via Haridwar Industrial Area.
Chandi Devi Temple is 2.4 km from the Maya Devi Temple and it takes approximately 6 minutes to cover the said distance via NH34.
Maya Devi Temple is the most crowded during the Navratri season.
The temperature during summers is mild and ranges from 35º C to 45º C. It is advisable to carry cotton clothing in summers.
Weather in winter is very unpredictable. The temperature varies from 10º C to 30º C. It is therefore advised to carry warm, woolen clothing as winters can get very cold here.
The Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the nearest airport to Haridwar. It is 36 km away.
The Haridwar railway station is the closest to the main city. The railway station is just 600 meters away from the Maya Devi Temple and takes only 3 minutes to travel.
If you have any questions about the Maya Devi Temple, please leave a comment below, and we will get back to you within one hour.
