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Haridwar Yatra Guide – Temples, Aarti, Things to Do

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In the Land of Gods, Haridwar situated on the banks of River Ganga is one of the pinnacles of pilgrimage that every Hindu devotee must make to pay obeisance to the holy trinity as well as the ultimate Mother Goddess Adi Parashakti or Sati. Haridwar is a place with high spiritual value for it’s not only a place sacred to the Shaivites and the Vaishnavites but also an important site of worship for the devotees of the Shaktism sect.

The distinction can be observed by the interpretation of the meaning of the name Haridwar or Hardwar itself. Shaivites prefer the name Hardwar – “Har” being another name of Lord Shiva and “Dwar” meaning the Gate. Hardwar to them represents “Gateway to Lord Shiva’s abode”.  The journey to reach Mount Kailash for devotees begins here. For the Vaishnavites, the name Haridwar means “Hari”, another name of Lord Vishnu and “Dwar” meaning the Gate.

The city is the gateway to reach Badrinath, one of the most important temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Haridwar is also believed to be the abode of Goddess Sati. It is a belief that Daksha, her father resided at Haridwar in a celestial palace.

The city of Haridwar is mentioned in several Puranas and holy texts. In the Devi Bhagavatam, Haridwar is mentioned as a famous pilgrimage center. The city is also mentioned in the epic Ramayana and several times in the Mahabharata. The Vayu Purana and the Nilamata Purana also mention the holy importance of the region of Gangadwara.

Haridwar History

  • The city of Haridwar is believed to one of the oldest inhabited city in the world. Several archeological findings have proved that human civilization existed and flourished in the region as early as 1200 BC.
  • Haridwar was ruled by the Mauryas (322-185 BC) and then by the Kushanas (1st – 3rd century AD).
  • Writings of the Chinese traveler Huan Tsang who visited India in 629 AD under the reign of King Harshavardhan state the existence of fort and several temples at the region.
  • The first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak visited Haridwar and bathed in the Kushawarta Ghat (Kankhal),
  • The famous Mughal Emperor Akbar visited Haridwar and took a dip in River Ganga and drank her water as a mark of respect. Raja Man Singh of Amber laid down the foundation for construction and renovation of several Ghats at Haridwar.

Significance of Haridwar

  • According to the Garuda Purana, Haridwar is one of the seven holiest places or Moksha Sthalas as per Hinduism. The other six are Ayodhya, Varanasi, Mathura, Kanchipuram, Ujjain, and Dwarka. These places are of great religious and spiritual importance where either God has taken an avatar (Mathura and Ayodhya) or has great mythological value like Ujjain, Haridwar, Dwarka, and Varanasi.
  • The city of Haridwar was also called Gangadwar in ancient times. The River Ganga enters the Indo-Gangetic plains of North India at Haridwar after its origin at Gaumukh at Gangotri.
  • According to the Samudra Manthan event in Hinduism, Haridwar is one of the four places where drops of Amrit accidently fell to earth when carried by Garuda. The other three places are Allahabad, Nashik, and Ujjain. These four places celebrate the grand Kumbh Mela to commemorate the significance of the event.
  • The city is also the gateway of the famed Chhota Char Dham pilgrimage of holy places in the state of Uttarakhand. These Char Dhams are Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri.
  • Taking a dip in Brahma Kund, at Har Ki Pauri Ghat is considered the most sacred bath any Hindu could perform. This is the spot where the Amrit fell on the Earth. It is believed that taking a dip here will wash away all the sins committed in a lifetime.
  • The holy surroundings of Haridwar are also believed to be the place where the holy Saint Kapila had an Ashram and did penance here. This place is also referred to as Kapilasthana in ancient scripts.
  • At the Ghat of Har ki Pauri, one can witness Lord Vishnu’s footprints that are worshiped with great reverence here.

Places of pilgrimage in Haridwar

The pilgrims take the famed “Pancha Tirtha” pilgrimage within Haridwar to receive the blessings from all the Gods and the Goddesses residing here. These five places are:

  • Mansa Devi Temple or the Bilwa Tirtha

The Temple is located atop the Bilwa Parvat at approximately 2.5 km distance from the city center. The Temple is dedicated to Goddess Mansa or Manasa. The Temple is one of the three Siddha Peethas located in Haridwar. The Goddess is widely worshiped in Bengal, North-East and certain regions in Southern India.

The Sanctum or the Garbhagriha houses two idols of the deity that are worshiped – one with eight arms and the other with three heads and five arms.

Mansa Devi Temple Legend

  1. The parentage of Goddess Manasa is till date contested by several versions in the Puranas. Some believe that Goddess Manasa was the creation of Lord Shiva (hence his daughter) when his seed touched the idol erected by Kadru, the wife of Sage Kashyap. Kadru was the Mother of the Snake people. Goddess Parvati was extremely jealous of her. Suspecting Manasa of being a co-wife, she burned one of her eyes. Goddess Manasa became the chief of snakes and is believed to be the one who saved Lord Shiva from being poisoned during the Samudra Manthan episode. Tired of the constant fighting between Chandi and Manasa, Lord Shiva left her under a tree with a companion called Neto.
  2. The other theory related to her birth is that she was the daughter of Sage Kashyapa and Kadru and the sister of the King of Serpents, Vasuki. Goddess Manasa married Jagatkaru on Kashyapa’s advise on the condition that she will never disobey him. One day, she woke him up late and as a result left her. On the request of Gods, he returned later and they had a son together named Astika.
  3. Disgruntled by the disputed parentage, angered by Chandi’s (Goddess Parvati) ignorance and disappointed by her husband’s behavior, the Goddess demanded that the mortals worship her. She was calm and caring to the devotees who worshiped her and rained calamity on the devotees who did not worship her.

Significance of the shrine

  1. It is believed that a sincere wish of a devotee made to the Goddess never goes unfulfilled. The locals believe that as a mark of respect, one ties a thread around the branches of a sacred tree denoting the wish. After the wish is fulfilled, the devotee should return and remove the thread.
  2. It is believed that the Goddess controls snakes. Hence, devotees visit her to cure snake bites, curses and other snake-related issues in their horoscopes. She is also believed to bestow fertility and family harmony.

Temple Timings

The Temple opens daily at 8 AM and closes at 5 PM. The Temple is closed for darshan between 12 PM to 2 PM.

How to reach the shrine

There are two routes to reach the shrine. One way is the traditional 1.5 km trek route to reach the peak.  The other way is the cable-car service called as the “Udan Khatola” service in the local language.

  • Gangadwar or Har Ki Pauri

The world famous Ghat along the banks of River Ganga is an epitome of sanctity. The devotees religiously believe that this is the place where Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva visited the Brahma Kund. One can also view the footsteps believed to belong to Lord Vishnu at the Ghat premises. This is the site where River Ganga actually enters the mainlands of India from the Himalayan mountain range. This is also the site where millions of devotees take a holy dip in River Ganga during the grand occasion of the Kumbh Mela. Every evening, the highly spiritual Ganga Aarti is held at 6:30 PM where hundreds of devotees light small lamps and let them afloat in the holy River with a small prayer in heart.

Any devotee or a tourist irrespective of caste, creed or religion must come and visit this place to experience the ultimate spirituality and the peacefulness that descends on the people witnessing the grand spectacle.

  • Kushawart (Kankhal)

The small town of Kankhal is located within Haridwar at a distance of 4 km from the city center. The site of Kankhal is mentioned in numerous ancient scripts and has a huge spiritual value. This is the place where it is believed that Goddess Sati immolated herself in protest of an insult to her consort Lord Shiva by her father Daksha.

Kushawart Temple Legend

The Daksheshwara Mahadev Temple is associated with the famous legend of Goddess Sati and Lord Shiva. This story is the basis of the Sthala Puranam and creation of Goddess Parvati herself. As per the legend, Daksha Prajapati, son of Lord Brahma did not want his daughter Sati to marry Lord Shiva. However, Goddess Sati married Shiva as she had always desired to do so. As a result, Daksha did not invite Goddess Sati and Lord Shiva to the Yagna he was conducting at the site. Sati wanted to participate in the Yagna and wanted Lord Shiva to accompany him. However, he refused. But against his wishes, Sati went to the Yagna. Upon arrival, she was humiliated and insulted by her father for marrying Lord Shiva. Daksha insulted Lord Shiva by calling him names. Unable to bear the humiliation of her husband, Sati fell into the Yagna Kund and immolated herself. When the news reached Lord Shiva, he was infuriated and sent his army to destroy everything in the Yagna. A huge fight ensued as Lord Shiva danced his Tandav. Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu had to intervene and calm him down. Lord Vishnu released his Sudarshana Chakra cutting through the corpse of Sati. Her body parts fell all over the land and are now known as the Shakti Peethas in Hinduism.

Temple Timings

The Temple opens at 6 AM and closes at 8 PM.

  • Neel Parvat or the Chandi Devi Temple

The famous temple dedicated to Goddess Chandi Devi, a form of Goddess Parvati is situated atop the Neel Parvat. The Temple was built in 1929 by Suchat Singh, the King of Kashmir. The Temple is believed to be a Siddha Kshetra.

Goddess Chandi is worshiped primarily by the followers of the Shaktism sect of Hinduism. Even though there are no references to this particular form of Goddess Parvati in any Vedic texts, Puranas or Epics, the Devi Mahatmayam mentions the Goddess several times.

Neel Parvat Temple Legend

According to the temple legend, Lord Indra and other Gods of Heaven were overthrown by the demon kings Shumbha and Nishumbha. Lord Indra approached Goddess Parvati to return their kingdom and get rid of the demons to balance the power on Earth. As a result, Goddess Parvati took the form of Chandi, a beautiful woman who attracted the attention of Shumbha. He sent his chiefs Chanda and Munda to bring her to him. However, they were killed by Chandi. Enraged, he along with Nishumbha tried to kill Chandi but were slain by the Goddess. It is believed that the Goddess rested atop the hill and eventually a temple commemorating the event was built for her.

Temple Timings

The Temple opens at 8 AM and closes at 6 PM. The shrine remains closed between 12 PM to 3 PM.

How to reach the Chandi Devi Temple

There are two ways to reach the shrine. The older route involves trekking a distance of about 3 km to the shrine. The newer route involves boarding the cable-car at the mountain base.

  • Maya Devi Temple

The eleventh-century ancient temple dedicated to Goddess Maya, a form of Goddess Shakti is worshiped here with great reverence here.  The importance of the shrine can be gauged by the fact that the city of Haridwar itself was called Mayapuri in ancient times. The deity worshiped here is in the form of a three-headed Goddess with four arms.

Significance of the shrine

It is contested but believed by locals that the shrine is one of the Shakti Peethas of Goddess Sati. It is a belief that her navel and heart fell at the site.

The site is also revered as a Siddha Kshetra along with the Mansa Devi Temple and the Chandi Devi Temple.

Temple Timings

The Temple opens at 6:30 AM and closes at 9 PM. The Temple remains closed between 12 PM to 3 PM.

How to reach the Temple

The Temple is located just 1.5 km from the Bus Stand and the Railway Station. One can hire a taxi from there till the temple.

Festivals celebrated at Haridwar

  • Kumbh Mela – As per the legend, Lord Vishnu’s vehicle, the Garuda spilled four drops of holy Amrit which he obtained by the churning of the milk on Earth. He was carrying the Amrit in a Kumbh (Pot). The drops fell in Haridwar, Allahabad, Nasik and Ujjain. In Haridwar, the Mela is held on the banks of River Ganga at Har Ki Pauri. The Mela is celebrated once every 12 years. The Mela has been officially and internationally accepted as the largest religious gathering in the world. Millions of pilgrims from all over the world attend the festivities and take a dip in the holy River Ganga.
  • Ardh Kumbh Mela – The Ardh Kumbh Mela is held once every six years. This Mela is held between two full Kumbh Melas at Prayag (Allahabad) and Haridwar.
  • Kanwar Mela – The Kanwar Yatra is also called as the Kavad Yatra. This is an annual pilgrimage or Yatra undertaken by thousands of devotees especially in the month of Shravan (July-August). The devotees of Lord Shiva who participate in the Yatra are called Kanwariyas. They travel barefooted to cities like Haridwar, Gaumukh, and Gangotri to collect the water of River Ganga. This water is then poured over Lord Shiva at their respective homes and other temples. This yatra is extremely popular among the devotees especially from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab, Bihar, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh.

How to reach Haridwar

  • By Air – The nearest airport is the Jolly Grant Airport situated at Dehradun which is 37 km from Haridwar. The airport operates flights to and fro from major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Trivandrum, Chennai and Lucknow. Apart from that, one can also reach the Indira Gandhi International Airport at Delhi which is well connected to all major cities in India.
  • By Train – Several trains from around the country connect the station Hardwar Junction. The city is well connected to places like Delhi, Dehradun, Bikaner, Patna, Howrah, Lucknow, Jaipur, Allahabad, and Mumbai.
  • By Road – The Haridwar bus station is located near the railway station. The state transport operates regular buses from Delhi, Rishikesh and Dehradun. Numerous private taxi operators provide connectivity to Haridwar from all towns and cities nearby.

Where to stay

The city is well developed and appropriate infrastructure for pilgrims as well as tourists has been constructed. Some of the budget options for a clean stay are Hotel Haridwar Residency, Hotel Gayathri Classic, and Hotel Bhagwati Nivas. Five-star options for stay are Country Inn Suites and Hotel Hari Heritage. It is advised to book accommodation in advance as the rush is always high.

Where to eat

The pilgrims and tourists can opt for a wide range of cuisine in hotels dispersed throughout the city. The food is mainly vegetarian.  The cuisine ranges from South Indian (Hotel Dosa Plates, Madras Restaurant, and Kwality Mysore Restaurant), North Indian (Hotel Hoshiyarpuriwala), Continental, Punjabi, Chinese (Chotiwalas Asli), and Bengali (Dada Boudir Hotel).

Adi Badri – Sapta Badri

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Adi Badri is a famous temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple is located on the confluence of the Pindar river and Alaknanda river in Chamoli district, 17 kilometers beyond the Karnprayag. It is the second temple complex among the “Sapta Badri” temples. It’s part of the famous ‘Sapta Badri’ pilgrimage circuit. It is a part of the Char Dham Yatra Package within Uttarakhand.

This place is within the Badrikshetra, and Badrinath being the name for Vishnu, the temple is known as the Adi Badri. In ancient times, the path to the temple went through the Badri van (Forest of berries). Hence, the suffix ‘Badri‘ is added to the seven holy shrines of Lord Vishnu.

Adi Badri – Facts

Deity Lord Vishnu
Location Adi Badri Road, Karna Prayag, Uttarakhand
Best Time to Visit May to June and September to October
Darshan Timings 5 AM to 12 PM
2 PM to 9 PM
Entry Fees Free
Dress Code Traditional Wear
Festivals Krishna Janmashtmi, Makar Sankranti
Exploration Time2 hr.

Adi Badri is a group of 16 temples. The main temple is dedicated to Narayan (Lord Vishnu). It’s part of the famous Sapta Badri pilgrimage circuit. It is also believed that the temple was built during the Gupta period (5th -8th century).

The temple is located 3 kilometers (1.9 min) from Chandpur fort or Garhi located on the hilltop. The fort was built by the Parmar kings of Garhwal. On shifting of Badrinath (also known as Raj Badri) to Bhavishya Badri, Adi Badri will be called the Yog Badri.

The other name of this temple is Helisera according to revenue records.

What are the timings of Adi Badri?

The timings of the temple are:-

TimingsFrom To
Morning 5 AM12 PM
Evening2 PM9 PM

What is the significance of Adi Badri?

The significance of the temple is that whenever Badrinath temple remains closed due to extremities in weather, devotees worship Lord Vishnu in Adi Badri temple. Moreover, the sanctum of the temple has an image of Lord Vishnu which is 1 meter high and has been carved out of black stone.

Adi Badri Significance
The image of Lord Vishnu holding a mace, lotus as well as a chakra.

The chief temple priests are Brahmins from Southern India.

What is the history of Adi Badri?

According to history, Adi Shankaracharya built Sapta Badri temples, including Adi Badri during the Gupta period. As per beliefs, he did so to promote and spread Hinduism to all parts of the country, however remotely accessible. As per ancient texts, it is believed that Vishnu resided in Adi Badri during Satyug, Treta, and Dwapar. It is moved to Badrinath in Kalyug.

Adi Badri History 1
Adi Shankaracharya built Sapta Badri temples to promote and spread Hinduism.

Another historical significance of the temple lies in the fact that Maharishi Ved Vyas divided the Vedas into Rigveda, Samveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda in this temple.

Adi Badri History 2
Maharishi Ved Vyas wrote the holy text of Bhagwat Gita in this temple.

People beleive that pandavas came here after giving up their kingdom Hastinapur to King Parikshit.

According to prophecy, it is believed that the Lord Vishnu will shift to Bhavishya Badri with the end of Kalyug and Satyug begins thereafter. After the lord Vishnu shall shift to Bhavisya Badri, Adi Badri shall be known as Yog Badri as per the religious texts.

The architecture of Adi Badri Temple

  • The complex of the temple consists of the area of 14-meter x  30 meters.
  • The height of the temples varies from 2 meters. to 6 meters.
  • The main temple is of Lord Vishnu, which is raised on a platform.  The Vishnu idol is 1 m, tall black stone, which depicts Lord Vishnu holding a mace, lotus, and chakra.
  • The other temples are dedicated to Shiva, Mantra Devi and a Kund (pond) which are also located within the premises; the Kund is believed to be the original source of the Saraswati river.

Festivals celebrated at Adi Badri

Some of the festivals celebrated at Adi Badri are:

  • Krishna Janmashtmi: It is a popular Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It occurs according to the Hindu lunisolar calendar and is a very important festival for the followers of Lord Vishnu.
  • Makar Sankranti: The festival is celebrated in January. It is to appease the Sun God. It is the first day when Sun enters Capricorn and marks the lengthening of daytime in the forthcoming days. This day includes colorful decorations, preparation of sweets with sesame seeds and children asking for treats and pocket money.
Adi Badri Festivals
Makar Sankranti and Krishna Janmashtmi are celebrated at the temple.

How to reach Adi Badri?

Here’s how to reach Adi Badri:

  • Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun (206.7 km away from Adi Badri)
  • Train: Rishikesh(189.3 km) and Haridwar(212.8 km) are the nearest railway stations.
  • Road: Buses are available to Rishikesh from ISBT Kashmere Gate. One can avail taxis or state transport buses for Chamoli district.

Where to stay near Adi Badri?

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

  • Hotel Sudarshan Palace: Hotel Sudarshan Palace has facilities such as 24-hour front desk, garden area and parking facility within its premises. Amenities such as bed, bottled drinking water, access to the common balcony and attached bathroom with hot/cold running water facility and toiletries are available at the Hotel.
  • Hotel Kuber Annex: The facilities offered here are front desk, room service, power backup, STD PCO facility, doctor on call. Massage service is also available here so that guests can relax after trekking. A helicopter booking facility is also available at the hotel.
  • Hotel Heaven: The hotel offers facilities suchlike parking and telephone. With a team of skilled professionals, the property ensures the fulfillment of all needs of the guest. Moreover, in case of medical emergencies, one can avail the doctor on call facility at the hotel.

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

What are the other SaptaBadri destinations?

The other Sapta Badri destinations are:

  • Vriddha Badri: It is the third among the ‘Sapta Badri’ temples. Devotees also believed that Adi Shankaracharya worshipped Badrinath here before enshrining Him in the main Badrinath temple. Vriddha Badri is temple is open for devotees and pilgrims throughout the year.
  • Bhavishya Badri: It is the fourth among the ‘Sapta Badri’ temples. According to beliefs, Lord Badri will take abode in Bhavishya Badri at the end of Kaliyuga. Even the name of the place literally translates to ‘Future Badri’, implying that it will be the future residence of Lord Badri.
  • Yogadhyan Badri: It is the fifth among the ‘Sapta Badri’ temples. As per mythology, the Pandavas were born here, and Pandu attained salvation and died here. Yogadhyan Badri has a bronze image of Lord Vishnu. Devotees believe that Pandu installed this meditating (Dhyan) image. Hence, the name of the shrine comes from the posture of the image, and it is popular as yoga-Dhyan’ Badri.
  • Dhyan Badri: It is the sixth among the ‘Sapta Badri’ temples. The image of Lord Vishnu which was established by Urvarishi.  The image of Vishnu is four-armed, made of black stone and in a meditative posture. 
  • Ardha Badri: It is the seventh among the ‘Sapta Badri’ temples. In comparison to other temples, the idol of Lord Vishnu here is smaller. Hence, the name of the temple roughly means Tthe little Badri‘.

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

Adi Badri Nearby

Lord Venkateswara Swamy Tirumala – Story and Miracles

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Lord Venkateswara is a Hindu God, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Venkateswara is the presiding deity of Tirumala Venkateswara Temple located in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh in India. He is also known as Srinivasa, Balaji, Venkata, Venkata Ramana, Tirupati Timmappa and Govinda.

What is the meaning of the word Venkateswara?

Venkateswara actually means Lord of Venkata. The word is actually a combination of two words. The first word ‘Venkata‘ is the name of a hill in Andhra Pradesh where the Lord resides and the second word ‘Isvara‘ means Lord. Also, “Venkata” is a Sanskrit word meaning “destroyer of sins” where ven means sins and kata means to destroy.

What is the story of Lord Venkateswara?

Payback of Kubera’s Loan – As per the legend, Lord Venkateshwara took a loan from Kubera for his wedding arrangements with Padmavathi. A large Hundi is present inside the temple complex where devotees offer money and gold to God. Devotees donate with the belief that he can pay back the loan to Kubera.

What is the miracle of Lord Venkateswara?

An amazing miracle happened at the midnight of 7th November 1979 at Tirumala Tirupati Temple. At that time, the whole town of Tirumala was in a deep sleep.

Suddenly, the huge bronze bells, that were hanging in front of Lord Venkateswara inside the Sanctum, started to ring loudly on their own without anyone touching them. The sound of the Bronze bells shocked the Purohits, security staff, temple staff, and the pilgrims.

How many wives does Lord Venkateswara have?

Lord Venkateswara has two wives. The first wife is Goddess Lakshmi and the second wife is Goddess Padmavathi.

Wives of Lord Venkateshwara
Lord Venkateshwara presents with two wives – Goddess Lakshmi & Goddess Padmavathi.

Who was the son of Lord Venkateswara?

According to the Vishnu Purana, Kamadeva– the Lord of love and sexuality was the son of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. Also, Naraka Asura was the second son of Lord Varaha with his wife Bhudevi.

What is the appearance of Lord Venkateswara?

Lord Venkateswara is shown as having a dark complexion and four hands. In his upper two hands, Lord Venkateswara holds a discus (a symbol of power) and a shell (a symbol of existence). His lower hands are inclining downwards wherein the Lord asks the devotees to have faith and surrender to him for protection.

Why Lord Venkateswara’s eyes are covered?

Lord Venkateswara’s idol wears a white mask that covers his eyes. It is believed that the devotees cannot face the powerful radiation arising from the eyes of the Lord. Hence, the eyes are covered on most days except on Thursdays when the size of the eye is relatively smaller.

How tall is Lord Venkateswara in Tirumala?

The height of the statue of the Lord Venkateswara is around 9′ 9″ (nine feet and nine inches) which includes the crown over his head. Also, the statue stands on a stone pedestal which is 18 inches in height.

Which day is for Lord Venkateswara?

Wednesdays are ideal days for worshipping Lord Venkateswara. Lord Venkateswara is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and Wednesday is considered ideal for planet Mercury whose related God is also Lord Vishnu.

Is Tirupati Balaji and Lord Hanuman same?

Yes, Balaji and Hanuman are the same God in different forms. In the Northern area, most of the people call Bal Hanuman as Balaji Maharaja. However, in South India, Balaji is being referred to Lord Venkateswara only and not Hanuman.

Mahakaleshwar Temple Timings, Poojas, and History

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Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Lingam of the Mahakaleshwar temple is the largest among all other Jyotirlingas. Images of various Gods, Goddesses, Apsaras, and Kichakas adorn the walls and pillars of the temple.

Planning to visit the Mahakaleshwar Temple? Have a look at our Mahakaleshwar Omkareshwar Tour Package.

Mahakaleshwar Temple – Facts

DeityLord Mahakaleshwar (Lord Shiva)
LocationUjjain, Madhya Pradesh
SignificanceJyotirlinga
ToursMahakaleshwar Omkareshwar Tour
Darshan Timings4:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Entry FeeFree
PoojasMaharudrabhisek, Laghurudrabhisek
Best Time to VisitOctober to March
FestivalsShravan, Shivratri
Jyotirlingas in Madhya PradeshMahakaleshwar Temple, Omkareshwar Temple
Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ujjain Video

Darshan Timings of the Mahakaleshwar Temple

The temple opens at 4 AM and closes at 11 PM. The temple also performs various rituals during this time. The devotees can be a part of these rituals, such as the morning, afternoon, and evening aarti. Moreover, there is no afternoon break in between, unlike most temples which remain closed in the afternoon for lunch.

The timings are as follows:

RitualFromTo
Darshan4:00 AM11:00 PM
Bhasma Aarti4:00 AM6:00 AM
Morning Pooja7:00 AM7:30 AM
Evening Pooja5:00 PM5:30 PM
Shree Mahakaal Aarti7:00 PM7:30 PM

It is important to note that during the winter season, these rituals take place half an hour later than the given timings.

What are the sevas and poojas of the Mahakaleshwar Temple?

Pooja at Mahakaleshwar
Maharudrabhishek being performed at the Mahakaleshwar Temple.

Some of the sevas and poojas of the Mahakaleshwar Temple are:

  • Bhasm Aarti: This aarti is unique to the temple. The priest applies Vibhhoti (Bhasm) to the Shiva Linga every day at 4:00 AM. Only, pilgrims holding a VIP pass can enter the Sanctum or the Garbhagraha for the aarti. Women cannot witness Bhasma decoration during the aarti.
  • Maharudrabhishek: In the abhishek, recitations of Rigveda, Samveda, Yajurveda and Atharva Veda is done in front of the deities of the Mahakaleshwar Temple.
  • Laghurudrabhishek: This abhishek is done to resolve issues related to health and wealth. It is also done to remove the harmful effects of planets in the horoscope.
  • Mahamrityunjaya Jaap: The Mahamrityunjaya abhishek increases longevity and immortality of the person. It is also known as the Rudra mantra and has miraculous effects in the lives of the people who perform it. Chanting this mantra helps relieve the individual from the cycle of death and rebirth. Hence, this mantra is also known as the Moksha Mantra.
Mahakaleshwar Bhasma Pooja
The Mahakaleshwar Bhasma Pooja is said to be extremely auspicious.

What is the significance of Mahakaleshwar Temple?

The Mahakaleshwar Shrine
The Mahakaleshwar Lingam is said to be the largest among all the 12 Jyotirlingas.

The significance of the Mahakaleshwar Temple is that the Lingam of Mahakaleshwar is Swayambhu in nature. Sri Mahakaleshwar is the Lord of Time. He is also famous as the one who is capable of winning difficult situations. This is the only Lingam in the world which faces south, the direction of Death.

The Mahakaleshwar temple is also one of the eighteen Maha Shakti Peethas. Shakti Peethas are the sites where body parts of Sati Devi fell after the Sudarshana Chakra, in the Daksha Yoga episode of Hindu mythology, cut her body. Devotees believe that the Upper Lip of the Sati Devi fell here. Moreover, the Goddess is popular as Mahakali here.

What is the history of the Mahakaleshwar Temple?

As per the history of Mahakaleshwar Temple, Lord Brahma himself established the first temple at the site. The coins recovered at Ujjain have the mark of Lord Shiva on them. According to several poetic texts, in the Paramara period, invaders destroyed the temple. Later, Udayaditya and Naravarman, the rulers of the Malwa region, rebuilt it.

According to the ancient scripture, Sthalapuranam, King Chandrasena was a devotee of Shiva. A young boy named Shrikhar heard his prayers to the god and wanted to join him. However, people did not let him do it and sent him out of the city. Shrikhar heard the plans of rival kings Ripudhamana and Singhaditya to attack the city with the help of the demon king Dushan.

Asura Dushan had a blessing of invisibility from Brahma. So, Shrikhar and a priest named Vriddhi prayed to Lord Shiva for help. The enemies arrived at Avantika (now known as Ujjain) and started torturing the people. They banned all Vedic Dharmanushtan activities in the city. The people started praying to Lord Shiva for help.

Devotees also believe that when Dushan started attacking Avantika, the ground split near the statue of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva came out of it as Mahakaal. He burnt the demons with just one grunt. Adhering to the request of the people of Avantika, Lord Shiva then decided to stay there as the chief deity of Avantika.

What is the structure of the Mahakaleshwar Temple?

The Mahakaleshwar temple is a three-storied structure. The Lingam of Mahakaleshwar is worshipped on the first floor, which is actually under the ground level. On the second level, the Lingam of Omkareshwara is worshipped. The Nagachandeshwara Linga is worshipped on the third level. The third level is open to the public only on Naga Panchami.

What are the festivals celebrated at Mahakaleshwar Temple?

Some of the festivals celebrated at Mahakaleshwar Temple are:

  • Kumbh Mela: This Mela has the distinction of being the largest religious gathering on the planet. It takes place once every 12 years in Ujjain, Allahabad, Haridwar, and Nashik. Also, the festival continues for about one and a half months. The pilgrims and sages (sadhus) take a ceremonial dip in the River Ksipra. Religious discourses, Ramlilas, Raslilas as well as the grand procession of sadhus are the main features of the Kumbh Mela.
  • Mahashivaratri: Thousands of pilgrims visit the temple to celebrate the day Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati. It occurs on the 13th or 14th day of the Magha month (February / March) in the Indian hindu calendar
  • Karthik Mela: It occurs every year in the Hindu month of Karthik (November / December).
  • Harihara Milana: The celebrations of this festival take place on Vaikuntha Chaturdashi, which signifies the meeting of two Lords – Lord Krishna as well as Lord Shiva at midnight.

How to reach the Mahakaleshwar Temple?

Here’s how to reach Mahakaleshwar Temple:

  • Air: The nearest airport is Indore which is 53 km away from Ujjain.
  • Train: Direct trains are available to Ujjain from major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Benaras, Kochi as well as Jaipur.
  • Road: Bus services are available from cities like Indore, Surat, Mumbai, Pune, Udaipur, Nasik, and Mathura.

Route from Indore

Indore is about 53 km away from the Mahakaleshwar Temple. Plenty of options are available for one to travel to the temple from here. Here’s the Mahakaleshwar Temple route from Indore:

  • Air: The nearest railway station is in Indore and one can hire cabs or take a bus to Mahakaleshwar Temple from there.
  • Train: One can travel through trains such as the Ranthambhor SF express as well as the Malwa SF express to travel between Ujjain and Indore.
  • Road: The fastest route to travel from Indore to Mahakaleshwar temple is via the Ujjain-Indore road. Also, it takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to travel using this route.

Where to stay near the temple?

The Temple Management has constructed two Dharmashalas for pilgrims to stay. The names of the Dharmashalas are Pandit Shree Surya Narayan Vyas Dharmashala and the Shree Mahakaal Dharmashala. Non AC dormitories, Non AC rooms, and AC rooms are available to pilgrims at reasonable rates.

Several budget hotels, 3-star, and 5-star hotels operate in Ujjain as this is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the world.

What are some temples nearby?

Explore Ujjain
One of the holiest cities, Ujjain is home to many temples.

Some of the temples near Mahakaleshwar Temple are:

  • Harsiddhi Temple: It is located just 400 meters away from the Mahakaleshwar temple. This temple is one of the Shakti Peethas according to Hindu mythology. Devotees also believe that Sati’s elbow fell here when the Sudarshana Chakra, in the Daksha Yagna episode of the Hindu tradition, cut her body.
  • Ram Janardhan Mandir: Raja Jai Singh constructed this temple in the 17th century. The specialities of the temple include the 11th-century sculpture of Govardhandhari Krishna, the 10th-century sculpture of Vishnu as well as the 12th-century idol of Trimurti.
  • Kala Bhairava temple: Beliefs say that King Bhadra constructed this temple over the ruins of an old demolished temple. Further, this temple was of great significance during the Paramar period.
  • Chintamani Ganpati Temple: The Goddess Riddhi and Siddhi are present on two sides of Lord Ganesh. Devotees also offer special prayers to the god every Wednesday in the month of Chaithra.

Frequently Asked Questions about Mahakaleshwar Temple

Is the Mahakaleshwar Temple open throughout the year?

Yes, the Mahakaleshwar Temple is open all 365 days of the year.

What is the entry fee?

The entry to the Mahakaleshwar Temple is free of cost.

Is there any online darshan facility available?

No. There is no facility for online darshan available.

Is there any facility for specially-abled and senior citizen?

No. There is no facility for specially-abled and senior citizens.

What is the weather like during the summers?

The summers in Ujjain starts from April and continue until June. The summers here can be very hot and dry. Temperatures during the daytime often go up to 45 º C.

What are winters like in Ujjain?

In Ujjain, winters start in October and continue until March. The temperatures during this time range from around 3 º C to 20 º C. The weather during this time is cold but pleasant.

If you have any questions about The Mahakaleshwar Temple, please leave a comment below, and we will get back to you within one hour.

Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple located in Kerala is a heaven for people seeking peace. Lord Krishna is the main deity of the temple. People call the deity as Aranmula Sree Parthasarathy at this temple. Also, Lord Krishna is Lord Vishnu’s other image. There is also a story behind the name of God. Lord Krishna rode the chariot of warrior Arjuna during a battle. Hence people call Him Parthasarathy.

The place is a world heritage site. United Nations has recognized Aranmula as a global heritage site.

Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple History

As per myth, the temple was originally built near Sabarimala. The famous Tamil classic, Divya Prabandha mentions this temple. This classic dates back to the 6th to the 9th century.

Planning to visit Sabarimala? Find out Sabarimala Opening Dates for 2019.

This temple is out of 5 temples built by the Pandava brothers in Chengannur. The five temples are Thrichittatt Maha Vishnu Temple built by Yudhishthira, Puliyur Mahavishnu Temple built by Bheema, Aranmula built by Arjuna, Thiruvanvandoor Mahavishnu Temple built by Nakula and Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Temple built by Sahadeva.

After leaving their capital city, Hastinapur for pilgrimage, the Pandavas arrived at the banks of River Pampa. These temples were built at that time. Every temple has an image of Lord Krishna.

As per legends, Arjuna built the temple as a penance of killing Karna. As it is against ethics to kill an unarmed warrior.

Also, here Lord Vishnu provided information about creating the world to Lord Brahma. This took place when Madhukaitaka demons stole the Vedas from Lord Brahma. Lord Vishnu also came in front of Vedavyasa here.

There is also a story behind the image of Parthasarathy that is present at the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. During the great Mahabharata battle, Arjuna did not want to fight against Bheeshma. Lord Krishna was angry and took up his discus. Seeing this Bheeshma surrendered. This image of Parthasarathy with discus is present at the temple. This pose is the Vishvarupa pose.

Another myth states that the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple image was brought on a raft. The raft was made of six bamboo pieces. Therefore, people call the temple as Aranmula. The word Aranmula means six bamboo pieces.

There is also another myth regarding the name. The place derives its name from the word arin villai. This word means a land near the river.

Aranmula is popular for its metal mirrors. The story of these mirrors begins from the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. As per myth, once the Travancore king decided to donate a crown to Lord Krishna. He was looking for a crown of rare metal. At this time, he got a rare combination of copper and lead.

Also, there is a myth regarding the boat race of Aranmula. When Arjuna was returning with Lord Krishna’s image after long penance, there was a huge flood. At this time, he crossed the river on a raft. A low caste Hindu gave him the raft to cross the river. The raft was of six bamboo pieces. This annual boat race commemorates the help of the low caste Hindu.

Significance of Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple

The Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple is important in the Hindu religious history as:

  • It is one of the 108 Vaishnava temples of India. Moreover, the temple is mentioned in Tamil classics.
  • There is a sub shrine in the temple complex. People worship Lord Balarama in this shrine.
  • The temple shows Kerala construction style. It is similar to the Ettumanor Mahadeva Temple structure. The whole temple is on a raised platform. People need to climb 18 steps to reach the eastern tower. The northern tower is 57 steps high. Sreekovil is the main part of the temple that houses the deity.
  • The base of the central temple is granite while the entire structure is laterite. The conical roof represents terracotta art. There is a kalasam at the temple which is copper.
  • The temple has four towers over its gateways on the outer wall. It has a double storied gopuram. The gopuram is a gateway tower. The upper part has wooden trails. There is a hall on the upper part, the Kottupura. Drum beating takes place during festivals in this hall.
  • The outer wall has places for lamps. These lamps are lit during the festivals. Also, there is a rectangular wall around the temple. This wall protects all the temples which are within the complex.
  • There is a metal flag post in the temple complex. This is the Dwajasthambam which is at the axial to the temple tower. There is also a light post at the temple. It is Deepastamba.
  • There is an outer pavilion to the temple. It is Chuttuambalam. The main temple and the hall is within a rectangular structure. This is the Nallambalam. This hall has pillars and corridors. The Namaskara Mandapa is a square platform. The Mandapa roof looks like a pyramid.
  • There are other parts to the temple as well. The kitchen, Thevrapura is at the left of the Namaskara Mandapa. Balithara is the altar used to make offerings to demigods during festivals.
  • The temple is also famous for its mural paintings. These paintings belong to the early 18th century. The doors have paintings of Dwarpalakas. They are the guardian deities.
  • The temple also has beautiful carvings. The carvings show stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata. These intricate carvings are present at the pillars. These are wooden and stucco carvings.
  • Besides Lord Krishna, the other deities present at the temple are Sastha, Yakshi, Nagaraja and Erangavil Bhagavathy Balarama.

Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple Timings

  • Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple opens at 4 am and closes at 8 pm. The afternoon break timings are from 11 am to 5 pm.

Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple Food Timings

Devotees can get prasadam after the morning Pooja.

Dress Code at Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple

The dress code of the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple is quite similar to the other temples of the state.

  • Men have to be in dhoti. Shirts or upper clothing has to be deposited at the temple counter before entering the temple.
  • Ladies have to be in traditional dress. Sari, salwar kameez and half sari are some examples.

Festivals celebrated at Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple

The Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple celebrates Lord Krishna festivals with great pomp and grandeur.

  • Ashtamirohini: This is the birthday of Lord Krishna. The temple celebrates this festival with great pomp and grandeur. A large feast takes place on this date. This feast also has a name, ‘vallasadya.’ It is one of the largest vegetarian feasts in the world. The festival includes 64 types of dishes. The devotees offer the food to Lord Krishna. Besides feasting, the deities are carried around Aranmula on this day. Another important part of the festival is the boat rides. A special boat, Palliyodam sails over River Pampa. These boats look like snakes and many people ride them. This custom of boat race also has a name, Vallam Kali. People worship the boat before the race starts as locals believe these boats are vehicles of Lord Aranmula. People use many types of flowers to worship the boats. 100 rowers take part in the race. Also, 25 singers take part in this race. They sing songs as the boats sail on the river. The boats sail in pairs. People also play music. The festival goes on from July to October. This is also the time of Onam festival in Kerala.
  • Procession: A large procession on the Garuda Mount to the Pampa River takes place during the Meenam month. Along with Lord Parthasarathy, Goddess Bhagavathy also participates in the procession. The idol of the goddess comes from the Punnamthode temple.
  • Khandavanadahanam: This festival takes place during Dhanus month. Devotees create an artificial forest at the temple front. People use dried plants, leaves and twigs to make the forest. A bonfire is lit after this. This festival shows the fire that took place at the Khandavana forest. This is also a story from Mahabharata.
  • Fasting: This custom takes place during Thiruvonam. Three Brahmin families in Aranmula fast at this time. Brahmin families from Nedumprayar village also fast at this time. This is a two centuries old custom. As per myth, one Brahmin vowed to feed one pilgrim every day. Lord Krishna was pleased with the vow. Thus, He came to bless the priest. The Brahmin was very happy and he started to conduct a feast every year. This feast takes place after the boat race.

Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple Sevas and Poojas

The temple has its own customs, like:

  • Only Thantri and Melshanthi can enter the Sreekovil. Thantri refers to the main priest while Melshanthi refers to the second priest.
  • Thiruvonathoni: This is a famous custom of the temple. The ritual takes place during the Onam festival.

How to Reach Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple

Aranmula is easily reachable from all parts of the state as it is just 116 km from Trivandrum. Trivandrum is the capital city of Kerala.

Here’s how to reach Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple:

  • By Air: The Trivandrum airport is very close to the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. Kochi International Airport is also a choice for the tourists who want to visit the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. Taxis and buses are available from the airport which can directly take the tourists to the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple.
  • By Train: The nearest railway station is at Chengannur. Tourists can hire cabs from the railway station. Buses are also available here.
  • By Road: Besides planes and railways, you can travel to Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple on roads. There are many buses and other transport available which connect the various cities of Kerala to the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. Chengannur is only 10 km from the temple. Pathanamthitta is 15 km and Pandalam is 14 km from the shrine.

Where to stay nearby

Hotel All Season, Hotel Santhi Palace, Bessota International Hotel, Club 7 Hotel, CGA Elite Continental and Contour Backwaters are just 21 km from the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. These hotels also have all basic facilities.

Where to eat

There are some good eat outs near the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. Favourite, Hotel Aryaas Park, J’ Mart Arabian Restaurant, Khyber Pass Bake & Grill, Union Bakery, Arabian Restaurant and Vensec Kitchens serve delicious food. The eat outs are also clean.

Nearby Temples

Besides the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple, this temple village has some other shrines and groves.

Pulikkunnumala Mahadeva Temple: This temple is also worth a visit. It is just 4 km from Aranmula. As per myth, this was the worship place for the Pandavas. The Pandavas are the main characters in a great Indian epic. This great epic is Mahabharata. The temple worships Lord Shiva. Kshetra Samrakshana Samiti looks after the temple.

River Pampa flows by Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple and you can spend some relaxing moments sitting on its banks. The village is also famous for its mirrors. These mirrors are metallic. People call these mirrors as Aranmula Kannadi. Hence visiting Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple is just not a pilgrimage but a trip to refresh your inner soul.

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