Chandi Devi Temple Haridwar

The Chandi Devi Temple is situated in the holy city of Haridwar in the state of Uttarakhand, India. This renowned temple is located on the Neel Parvat mountain in the eastern part of the Shivalik mountain range, the southernmost range of the Himalayas. Among the five sacred pilgrimages in Haridwar, this religious temple holds a significant place. The Chandi Devi Temple is also known as a Siddh Peetha, and people from all corners of the country visit the temple with their wishes to seek the blessings of the goddess. On special occasions, the temple witnesses a heavy influx of devotees.

The history of the Chandi Devi Temple has various accounts. According to one belief, the temple was constructed in 1929 by King Suchat Singh of Kashmir. Another belief suggests that the idols placed in the temple date back to the 8th century, and they were consecrated by Adi Shankaracharya, one of the revered saints of the Hindu faith. There's also a mythological story associated with this temple. It is said that some time ago, the demon kings Shumbha and Nishumbha had conquered the kingdom of Lord Indra. They had expelled all the gods from heaven. Faced with this crisis, the gods approached Goddess Parvati for help. Goddess Parvati assumed the form of Chandi and appeared before the demons. When Shumbha saw the extraordinary beauty of this divine lady, he was smitten and expressed his desire to marry her. When the goddess refused, Shumbha sent his demon companions Chanda and Munda to fight her. However, Goddess Chandi defeated them. She then rested on the Neel Parvat mountain. It is believed that the Chandi Devi Temple was later built at this very location. The twin peaks of the mountain are named Shumbha and Nishumbha.

The Chandi Devi Temple is considered a place where all desires are fulfilled. Due to this belief, devotees flock to the temple to offer their prayers. The temple primarily worships Goddess Parvati in her fierce form, which is similar to Goddess Kali. During the Kumbh Mela, pilgrims make it a point to visit the shrine of Goddess Chandi Devi. Haridwar hosts three Siddh Peetha temples, and one of them is dedicated to Goddess Chandi Devi, while the others are devoted to Goddess Mansa Devi and Goddess Maya Devi.

The Chandi Devi Temple is situated at an elevated height, and to reach the main temple, one needs to climb a series of stairs, approximately 350 in number. Even this climb offers a mesmerizing view of the surrounding forests. The temple's architecture follows the North Indian style. Near the temple, there is also a shrine dedicated to Mata Anjana, the mother of Lord Hanuman, and devotees who visit the Chandi Devi Temple often pay their respects here as well.

The Prasad offerings in the temple typically include dry fruits, roasted grams, and coconuts. Devotees also offer flowers and chunri.

By Air The nearest airport to Haridwar is the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is approximately 72 kilometers away. Taxis are readily available from the airport to Haridwar. By Train Haridwar has a well-connected railway station that links it to major cities in India. The Haridwar Railway Station is the closest to the temple, and from there, you can hire an auto-rickshaw or taxi to reach the temple. By Road Haridwar is easily accessible by road. Buses from various cities connect to Haridwar. The temple is about 15 kilometers from the city center, and you can reach it by auto-rickshaw or local transport.