Maya Devi Temple

Getting there

• By air

  The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, whose airport code is DED.

• By train

  The nearest railway station is Haridwar Junction, which has the station code HW.

• By road

  The temple lies east of Har ki Pauri and is easily reached by bus or auto rickshaw.

Why devotees come here

Maya Devi Temple stands in the holy city of Haridwar, Uttarakhand. It is dedicated to Maya Devi, a three-headed, four-armed form of Shakti, and is sometimes called a Shakta pitha. It is one of three such shrines in the city.

Maya Devi is shown with three heads and four arms, and is believed to be an incarnation of Shakti. Legend says the heart and navel of Sati, wife of Shiva, fell on the spot where the temple now stands. The legend starts with Sati marrying Shiva against the wishes of her father, Daksha. The site is therefore sometimes called a Shakta pitha.

The temple dates back to the eleventh century. Two other ancient temples, Narayana-Shila and Bhairava, stand beside it. Inside the inner shrine, Maya sits in the centre, with Kali on the left and Kamakhya on the right. A metal idol of Chamunda and a sub-shrine for Sheetala Devi are also in the complex.

Haridwar has three such Shakti pithas, and this is one of them. The other two are the Chandi Devi and Mansa Devi temples. Many devotees come especially during Navratra and the Kumbha Mela.

Festivals

• Especially during Navratra and the Kumbha MelaNavratra and Kumbha Mela

  Many devotees visit the temple at these times.

Tips for your visit

• Inside the complex, look for the Sheetala Devi sub-shrine and the metal idol of Chamunda.
• The Narayana-Shila and Bhairava temples stand alongside the main shrine.

Questions people ask