Char Dham Yatra

Which network is best for Char Dham Yatra? – Kedarnath, Badrinath Mobile Coverage

January 21, 2020, Sasidhar Darla Leave a Comment Filed Under: Char Dham Yatra

BSNL is the best mobile network for Char Dham Yatra. It is available in all the four Dhams including Kedarnath and Badrinath. Airtel sim also works well. However, there are chances of not getting a connection everywhere. Apart from these two, you can also opt for Idea and Vodafone. It is recommended not to use Jio and other similar networks.

Book Chardham Tour Package

It is best to carry a BSNL sim as the other networks don’t work properly in the Char Dhams and the major cities.

https://youtu.be/l8EazMZCd5E

As the Char Dhams of this Yatra are located in the Himalayan terrain, you will lose network at many places. However, these networks work the best among all.

The more you travel and go towards the elevation, the chances of losing the network connectivity increases. As you move towards the city like Rudraprayag, Uttarkashi etc, you will get back the network connection.

Frequently asked questions about Char Dham Yatra

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple – Timing, Significance and History

August 2, 2019, Sasidhar Darla Leave a Comment Filed Under: Char Dham Yatra, Uttarakhand Temples Tagged With: Shiva Temples

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is an architectural dedication to Lord Shiva. The shrine is 32 km away from Rishikesh, in the Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. The temple got its fine architecture from its creator Mekh Chand (Shadhu). The chief deity of the temple is ‘Neelkanth’, a manifestation of Lord Shiva with a blue throat forth the installation of poison.

Neelkanth-Mahadev-Temple-introduction — The Neelkanth Mahadev Temple situated in Pauri Garhwal.

The temple sits comfortably in the laps of Manikoot, Vishnukoot and Brahmakoot hills. It is at the point of meet of the rivers, Pankaja and Madhumati. Consequently, lying 12kms away on a hilltop proximate to the Swarga Ashram, which is another religious site nearby. Moreover, the temple is at a height of 1330 metres.

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple – Facts

Temple Timings	6am – 11pm
Opening and Closing Date	Open 365 days
Time required for Darshan	1 hour
Entry Fee	No fee
Festivals 2019	Maha Shivratri Shivratri of Shravan
Best Time to Visit	July or August
Nearest Airport	Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun
Location	Pauri, Garhwal

What are the timings of Neelkanth Mahadev?

You can visit the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple between:

Timings	From
Open	6:00 am
Close	11:00 pm

What is the significance of Neelkanth Mahadev Temple?

The temple is significantly known for the sculptures of Asuras and Devas inscribed on the temple’s Shikara depicting the mythological occurrence of ‘Samudra Manthan’. Moreover, ‘Neelkanth Mahadev’ is the prominent deity of the temple.

Neelkanth-Mahadev-Significance — After installing the poison originated from Samudramamthan in his throat, Lord Shiva came to be known as Neelkanth Mahadev

As is the ritual, a Shivalingam resides here too and devotees tie a thread around it while worshipping. Also, devotees make a lot of offerings of Bael leaves, coconut, flowers, milk, honey, fruits and water.

There is a natural spring in the temple where devotees dip in to take the Holy Bath before entering the pious premises of the temple.

What is the history of Neelkanth Mahadev Temple?

The history of the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple dates back to the mythological occurrence of the episode of Samudra Manthan. The incident observed the churning of the ocean by both Asuras and Devas in the pursuit of Amrit (elixir). However, during Samudramanthan, Amrit did come out but was accompanied by poison.

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple History — The event of the churning of the ocean by both demons and gods in the desire of Amrit came to be known as Samudramanthan

The poison that emerged from the churning of the ocean was called ‘Halahal’ and its believed to have had the level of toxicity close to destroying the whole of the creation.

Since nobody could consume the poison, Lord Shiva stepped in for it. Although he did not consume the poison but he installed it in his throat. Soon after his throat turned blue and hence, he became popular as ‘Neelkanth’, literally translating to ‘The Blue Throated One’. However, after some time the poison began to cause inflammation in his throat.

That’s when he found the famous Peepal Tree and meditated under it for about 60,000 years and established a holy clod called Pind there. Hence, that’s how the sacred place where Lord Shiva meditated to get away with the pain from the poison in his throat, became the temple which is a main attraction among the devotees worldwide.

What is inside the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple?

The temple extends its land to the sacred Shivalingam that sits inside the temple at all its glory. Adorned with the flowers and offerings made by the devotees, the Shivalingam inside the temple is the worshipped site.
However, there is a Peepal tree right outside the Shivalingam site, expected to be ages old. And the tree is also believed to be the one under which Lord Shiva meditated to lessen the burn from the poison. After that, he left for Kailash. Moreover, statues of other gods and goddesses are also placed inside.
The uniqueness of the temple lies in its serenity. The temple gives a lot of calmness to its visitor in spite of all the hush going around. The holy chantings and the buzz of the prayers all around set every soul to peace.

Inside Neelkanth Mahadev Temple — The place in the temple where people tie threads with the hope of wish fulfiment by Lord Shiva.

What are the festivals celebrated at Neelkanth Mahadev Temple?

The main festival celebrated at Neelkanth Mahadev Temple are:

Maha Shivratri: The festival is a celebration of Lord Shiva. Devotees believe him to be Adi guru and the ultimate source of Yogi tradition. Activities like remembering Shiva and chanting prayers, fasting, practicing Yoga, making offerings to the deity, as well as meditating are done on this . Two fairs namely, Maha Shivratri in the months of Feb or March and Shivratri of Shravan in the months of July or August are observed annually .
Kanwar Yatra of Shravan: During this month, devotees carrying Kawars travel day and night on foot from different places to offer Ganga Jal to the temple.

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple- Festivals — Devotees carry Kawar on their shoulders filled with Ganga Jal to pour it onto the Shivlingam at Neelkanth Mahadev

How to reach Neelkanth Mahadev Temple?

Here’s how to reach the temple:

Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun (49 km)
Train: The nearest railway station is Rishikesh which 32 km away from the temple.
Road: Buses are available to Rishikesh from ISBT Kashmere Gate. Then, one can hire a taxi or avail a bus from Rishikesh to Neelkanth Mahadev Temple.

However, after reaching the nearest point of the temple, you have to take a walk to the holy site of worship.

The visitors can also enjoy campsite activities, river rafting etc at Rishikesh either after coming back from the temple or while going.

Where to stay near Neelkanth Mahadev Temple?

Some of the places where one can stay near Neelkanth Mahadev Temple while undertaking the Char Dham Yatra are:

Ganga Kinare-A riverside boutique hotel: Spacious rooms loaded with all the basic amenities to add to the guests comfort is there. The Ayur Ganga Spa at the hotel also offers a diverse range of Indian and International treatments to rejuvenate the body and soul.
The V Resort: The resort offers a 24-hour front desk, travel desk, and doctor-on-call. Guests can also relax in the game room, have a refreshing dip in the swimming pool or visit the spa for a relaxing massage. Its the perfect getaway place to be at.
Green Hills Cottage: The rooms available here have the best of the amenities. Moreover the hotel has the best of both interiors. Also, a 24/7 helpdesk is at your service at all times.

Please carry valid ID proof such as Aadhar Card. It is needed at the time of booking of hotel rooms.

What to eat here?

Well, one can take delicious taste of the Garhwali and Pahadi cuisine here. And have the taste of dishes like, Gahat ke Parathe with Bhaang ki chutney (a speciality), Kafuli which is a tasty blend of Proteins etc.

Eating-nearby-Neelkanth-Mahadev-Temple — The famous chutney from Pahadi Cuisine – Bhaang Ki Chutney

What are some temples near Neelkanth Mahadev Temple?

Some of the temples near Neelkanth Mahadev Temple are:

Dhari Devi Temple: This temple is situated by the river of Alaknanda in Uttarakhand. The goddess worshipped here is Goddess Dhari. The deity is also the guardian of Uttarakhand and protects the Char Dhams. Dhari Devi is 128.5 km away from Neelkanth Mahadev temple.
Chandi Devi Temple: Chandi Devi Temple is atop Neel Parvath in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. As the name suggests, the temple is devotion to Goddess Chandi. However, it is also one of the Panch Teerth in Haridwar. The temple is around 54kms away from the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple.
Mansa Devi Temple: Mansa Devi Temple is the shrine of goddess Mansa, on top of Bilwa Parbat in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. Also popular as ‘Bilwa Tirth’, the temple is among the Panch tirth within Haridwar. This temple is a holy shrine located around 51 km away from the temple.

These temples are also a part of Char Dham Yatra of Uttarakhand.

Frequently asked questions about Neelkanth Mahadev Temple:

What is the location of Neelkanth Mahadev Temple?

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is located 32 km away from Rishikesh in the district of Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand.

How do you get to Neelkanth Temple?

Neelkanth Mahadev temple is at a distance of 32 km from Rishikesh, one can reach the temple by the hired taxi from Ram Jhula in Rishikesh. It also has Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun, 49 Kilometres away from it.

Why Shiva is known as Neelkanth?

Due to the installed poison in the throat, Lord Shiva’s throat turned blue hence he got the name, ‘NeelKanth’.

How do I get to the Neelkanth from Dehradun?

One can board the bus from ISBT Dehradun to Rishikesh and from there you can choose to hire a taxi and cab to cover the distance of 32 km to the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple

When is the best time to visit the temple?

The best to visit the temple is in the pious month of Shravan during July and August. Also, the weather during the months is favourable.

Is photography permitted in the temple premises?

Yes, photography is permitted in the temple premises.

What are the temperatures in Neelkanth Mahadev Temple?

In summers, the temperature can go up to 45°C and in winters can fall down to 2°C.

Are warm clothes recommended in Neelkanth Mahadev temple in the month of August?

Yes, it is best to carry warm clothes as one might just need them during the nights in August.

Mansa Devi Temple Haridwar Guide – Timings, Poojas and History

June 29, 2022, Sasidhar Darla 3 Comments Filed Under: Char Dham Yatra, Uttarakhand Temples

Mansa Devi Temple is dedicated to Goddess Mansa. The temple is situated in Haridwar in the state of Uttarakhand. It is located on the top of the Bilwa Parvat and also known as Bilwa Tirth. It is one of the Panch Tirth within Haridwar. Mansa Devi temple is also included among the Char Dham Yatra destinations.

Planning to visit this temple? Have look at our Char Dham Yatra Tour Packages.

Mansa Devi Temple – Facts

Deity	Goddess Mansa
Location	Haridwar, Uttarakhand
Significance	Siddhpeeth
Best Time to Visit	September to April
Darshan Timings	5:00 am to 12:00 pm. 2:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Entry Fees	Free
Ropeway Timings	7:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Ropeway Charges	Rs. 90 per person (to and fro)
Dress Code	Traditional Wear
Festivals	Navaratri and Kumbha Mela

Mansa Devi Temple – Full Darshan Guide

Mansa Devi Temple Timings

People can have darshan at Mansa Devi from 5 AM to 12 PM in the morning. There is an afternoon break from 12 PM to 2 PM. The evening darshan resumes at 2 PM and the temple closes at 9 PM.

Here are the timings of Mansa Devi temple:

Morning Darshan	5 AM to 12 PM
Evening Darshan	2 PM to 9 PM

Mansa Devi Cable Car and Trek Guide

Devotees can reach Mansa Devi Temple in two ways: on foot or by cable car.

Walking requires a 3 km steep trek uphill. Trekking here is safe but can be difficult during summer. One might get heatstroke.
Cable Car or Ropeway service is usually preferred by the people. The rope-way carries the pilgrims directly from the lower station to the temple. It is not only convenient but also shows you beautiful scenes on the way.

The Cable Car and Ropeway service is also called as Mansa Devi Udankhatola.

Udan Khatola at Mansa Devi Temple — The Udan Khatola is a popular mode of transport for the Mansa Devi Temple.

What is the significance of Mansa Devi Temple?

The term ‘Mansa‘ means ‘wish‘. It is a popular belief among the devotees that the goddess fulfills their wishes. So, they tie a thread to the branches of a tree present in the temple. Once the wishes are fulfilled, people come back to the temple again to untie the thread from the tree.

Mansa Devi temple is a famous Siddhpeeth. Siddhpeeths are known to fulfill the desires of the worshippers. It is one of three such Peeths located in Haridwar. The other two are Chandi Devi Temple and Maya Devi Temple.

View from Mansa Devi Temple — The sight from the Mansa Devi Temple is that of the beautiful Ganga and the city of Haridwar.

The top of the temple gives a beautiful view of the Ganga river and a panoramic view of Haridwar city.

Mansa Devi is considered a must visit for the pilgrims going to Haridwar. The temple is visited by thousands of devotees from various parts of the country. The count increases during Navaratri and Kumbha Mela.

Devi Mansa and Devi Chandi are the two forms of Goddess Parvati. It is said that they always reside close to each other. One can see Chandi temple from the top of Mansa temple in Haridwar. It can be found true since these temples are also close to each other in Haryana, Chandigarh too.

What is the history of Mansa Devi Temple?

Shine of Mansa Devi — Mansa Devi is believed to fulfill all her devotees’ wishes.

The history of Mansa Devi relates back to many centuries ago. Goddess Mansa is believed to have emerged from the mind of great Sage Kashyap. Mansa is regarded as the sister of the Nagas (serpent). She is also believed to be the daughter of Lord Shiva in his human form.

There is also a story about the Goddess. Mansa was a common girl. She was unaware of her truth from her guardians. Hence, she decided to meet Lord Shiva to ask him about her truth. She sat for Sadhana and after years of meditation, Lord Shiva appeared before her. After learning her truth from Shiva, she gained her power.

That common girl Mansa later came to know as the Goddess of Welfare.

According to another story, a cow used to offer milk to three shilas every day. These shilas were on the top of Shivalik hills. A local resident noticed this and over time, people started worshipping it. Later a temple was created at this place. It is believed that the forehead of Devi Sati was fallen at this place by the Sudarshana Chakra.

What are the festivals celebrated in Mansa Devi Temple?

Navratri is a combination of two Sanskrit words – ‘nava’, which means ‘nine’ and ‘ratri’, which means ‘night’.

Navratri: Navratri or Durga Pooja is celebrated as a symbol of victory of good over evil. As per the legend, Goddess Durga killed the demon Mahishasura on this day. This saved the world from the evil and restored Dharma. Mansa Devi temple is heavily decorated on this day. Stage decorations, storytelling, enacting of the story, & chanting of scriptures is done. The temple is heavily crowded during this festival.
Kumbh Mela: The Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years at Haridwar. The exact date is determined according to Hindu astrology. An Ardh Kumbh (“Half Kumbh”) Mela is also held after six years. The fair has a religious significance to Hindus. It is also the biggest commercial event attended by merchants worldwide. The last Kumbh Mela took place in 2010 and the next one is scheduled in 2021.

How to reach Mansa Devi Temple?

Here’s how to reach Mansa Devi Temple:

Air: Jolly Grant Airport of Dehradun is at a distance of 37 km from the temple.
Train: Haridwar is the nearest railway station at a distance of 3 km from the temple.
Road: Buses are also available to Haridwar from ISBT, Kashmere Gate in New Delhi.

Where to stay near Mansa Devi Temple?

Some of the places where one can stay near Mansa Devi Temple are:

Radisson Blu Haridwar: It is a five-star hotel for a luxurious stay. It is provided for both business and leisure. It also provides spacious rooms, excellent food, high-speed internet, a steam room, and a gym. This hotel is at a distance of 13 km from Mansa Devi Temple.
Ganga Lahiri: This hotel provides pick-up facility from the railway station. It has an appealing interior. The windows of the rooms provide a beautiful view of the Ganga river.
Golden Tulip Haridwar: It is a four-star hotel which is 7.6 km away from Haridwar Railway Station. This hotel gives excellent service in food and cleanliness. Guests can also enjoy massage therapies at the in-house massage centres.

What are some temples near Mansa Devi Temple?

Some of the temples near Mansa Devi temple are:

Chandi Devi Temple, Haridwar: Chandi Devi temple is situated on the top of Neel Parvat in Haridwar. The temple is in the honour of Goddess Chandi. It is also one of the Panch Teerth present in Haridwar. Devi Chandi is a form of goddess Parvati and always reside close to Mansa Devi. People can also reach Chandi Devi temple via cable car.
Maya Devi Temple: This temple is among the three ancient temples of Haridwar that are still intact. The other two are Narayan-Shila and Bhairav temple. The deities of the temple include Goddesses Maya, Goddess Kali as well as Kamakhya.
Har ki Pauri, Haridwar: ‘Har ki Pauri’ stands for ‘Steps of Shiva‘. Har ki Pauri is a religious bathing ghat in Haridwar. It is on the banks of Ganga at the point where Ganga leaves mountains and enters the plains. A dip in the Ganga river cleanses the person of all his sins. It is also a part of Char Dham Yatra destinations in Uttarakhand.
Neeleshwar Temple, Haridwar: This temple is present on the foot of Neel Parvat near the Kushavarta Ghat. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Neeldhara, a stream of Ganga, flows near the temple. Here, devotees take a dip before visiting the temple. This temple is about 500 meters away from Har ki Pauri.

The Mansa Devi Temple Height — The Udan Khatola takes you to the Mansa Devi Temple in 45 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions about Mansa Devi Temple –

Is there online booking available for Mansa Devi Temple?

No, Online booking is not available. You can easily get the tickets from the ticket counter. The waiting time to get tickets is maximum 20 minutes.

Can I buy tickets for both Mansa Devi & Chandi Devi at the same time?

Yes, you can buy combination tickets for darshan of both temples.

What are the timings of Mansa Devi Cable Car or Ropeway facility?

Ropeway service can be availed from as early as 07:00 AM in the morning. Usually, it is functional the whole day. It closes when the temple closes in the noon time.

What are the charges of Mansa Devi Udankhatola?

The charges are around Rs 90 per head for going up and down to both sides of Mansa Devi temple.

Where we can stay near Mansa Devi?

You can stay in Ganga Ashram, Paramarth and many other Dharmasthalas. They are available at cheap rates.

What is the nearest airport to Mansa Devi?

Jolly Grant Airport of Dehradun is the nearest airport. It is at a distance of 37 km from the temple.

How to reach Mansa Devi from Har ki Pauri?

E-Rickshaws will take you from Har ki Pauri to Mansa Devi main entrance. From there, you can either walk or take Ropeway service.

What is the temperature in Mansa Devi temple, Haridwar?

The maximum temperature in summer can reach till 35^°C. The minimum temperature that can fall down is 8^°C in winter.

Tara Devi Temple Guide

Tungnath Temple

May 4, 2019, Sasidhar Darla 2 Comments Filed Under: Char Dham Yatra, Uttarakhand Temples Tagged With: Panch Kedar, Shiva Temples

Tungnath Temple is one of the Panch Kedar temples of Lord Shiva, present in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. It comes second, if one follows the order of Panch Kedar temples. Also, it is the highest Shiva temple in the world. Moreover, Tunganath mountains form Mandakini and Alaknanda river valleys.

Tungnath temple is also a huge tourist attraction because it’s also a trekking destination along with being a pilgrimage site. Of all the Panch Kedar trek routes, the route to Tungnath is the shortest: only 4 km from Chopta that can be covered in approximately 3–4 hours. It is a part of the Char Dham Yatra PAckage in Uttarakhand.

What is the history of Tungnath Temple?

According to history, Tungnath Temple is 1000 years old. Devotees believe that Adi Shankaracharya discovered the temple. As per alegend, Pandavas slew their kin Kauravas during the Mahabharata. Hence, Rishi Vyas advised them to go to Lord Shiva, because only he could absolve them of their sins.

However, Shiva kept hiding from them and took the form of a bull and went into hiding in an underground safe haven at Guptakashi. Later, Lord Shiva’s body parts as a bull rematerialised at five locations. The Pandavas then built Shiva temples in these five places, popular as ‘Panch Kedar’ (Find out more about the Char Dham Yatra). Tungnath is the place where the bahu (hands) appeared.

What is the significance of Tungnath Temple?

The significance of Tungnath Temple is that it has a local Brahmin priest, unlike the other Panch Kedar temples which have priests from southern India. Also, Maithani Brahmins officiate as priests at this temple. Devotees believe that Adi Shankaracharya set this tradition. Moreover, the temple remains closed during winters.

Then, the symbolic image of the diety is shifted to Mukkumath. Tungnath is at the top of the ridge which divides the waters of rivers Mandakini and Alaknanda. Moreover, the temple lies about 2 km below the Chandrashila Peak. Most of the pilgrims arrive at the temple during summers because it becomes inaccessible during winters because of extreme weather conditions.

What are the timings of Tungnath Temple?

Here are the timings of Tungnath Temple:

Timings	From
Open	6 AM
Close	7 PM
Morning Aarti	6 AM
Evening Aarti	6:30 PM

What are the festivals celebrated at Tungnath Temple?

Some of the festivals celebrated at Tungnath Temple are:

Mahashivratri: This festival is in the honour of Lord Shiva. Devotees believe that he is the Adi guru who is the source of the Yogi tradition. It is observed by remembering Shiva and chanting prayers, fasting, doing Yoga as well as meditating.
Dussehra: This is an important Hindu festival which is a celebration of the victory of good over evil. Dussehra is the day when Lord Ram killed Ravana and established peace and prosperity. As a ritual, devotees burn an effigy of Ravana.

How to reach Tungnath Temple?

Here’s how to reach Tungnath Temple:

Air: Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest airport, at a distance of about 260 km.
Train: The nearest railway station is Haridwar, which is about 225 km away from Chopta.
Road: State-owned buses and private buses run regularly to and fro from the neighbouring cities and states to Chopta.

Where to stay near Tungnath Temple?

Some of the places where one can stay near Tungnath Temple while undertaking the Char Dham Yatra are:

Chopta Hotel/Guest House: This hut is near the temple and one can stay at night after the trek instead of going back to Chopta, specially if you want to enjoy 360 degree Himalayan view from Chandrashila peak in the morning. Tents can also be arranged on additional costs on prior notificatin depending upon weather conditions.
Chopta- 3 bedroom stay and cafe: It is present right the start of famous Tungnath-Chandrashilla Trek point. Moreover, Indian and Chinese food is available on request. It also has a beautiful camping ground and the hotel can arrange bonfire depending on the weather conditions.

What are the other Panch Kedar destinations?

The other Panch Kedar destinations are:

Kedarnath Temple: It is the first, and the most famous temple among the Panch Kedar templs of Lord Shiva. Kedarnath temple is the place where the hump of the bull form of Lord Shiva appeared. The temple remains closed during winters and at that time, devotees bring the idols of the temple to Ukhimath for worship. Lord Shiva is worshipped as Kedarnath, the ‘Lord of Kedar Khand’, which is the historical name of the region.
Rudranath Temple:It comes third, if one follows the order of Panch Kedar temples. It is followed by Madhyamaheshwar and Kalpeshwar temples. Moreover, the face of god Shiva is worshipped as “Nilkanth Mahadeva” here. Rudranath Temple is the place where the face of Lord Shiva appeared.
Madhyamaheshwar Temple: It comes fourth, if one follows the order of Panch Kedar temples followed by Kalpeshwar Temple. Peaks like Chaukhamba, Neel Kanth and Kedarnath surround the temple.Madhyamaheshwar Temple is the place where the navel of Lord Shiva appeared.
Kalpeshwar Temple: It comes last, if one follows the order of Panch Kedar temples. One must visit Kedarnath, Tungnath, Rudranath and Madhyamaheshwar temples before Kalpeshwar temple. It is the only Panch Kedar temple accessible throughout the year. Also, it is a small temple and devotees have to pass through a cave passage in order to reach it. Kalpeshwar Temple is the place where the Jata (Tress) of Lord Shiva appeared.

These temples are also a part of the Char Dham Yatra destinations within Uttarakhand.