Haridwar Chandi Devi Temple, Uttarakhand

Address

Haridwar Chandi Devi Temple, Uttarakhand 

Haridwar,

Uttarakhand 249408

Amman

Chandi Devi

Introduction

• The Chandi Devi Temple, located in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, is a revered shrine dedicated to Goddess Chandi Devi.
• The temple is perched atop the Neel Parvat on the Eastern summit of the Sivalik Hills, the southernmost chain of the Himalayas.
• Originally, the main murti (idol) of Chandi Devi was installed in the 8th century CE by Adi Shankaracharya, a preeminent religious reformer and philosopher.
• The present temple structure was built in 1929 by Suchat Singh, the then King of Kashmir.
• Also known as Neel Parvat Teerth, it is one of the Panch Tirth (Five Pilgrimages) of Haridwar, making it a significant pilgrimage site.

Religious Significance:

• Siddh Peetha:
  • The temple is considered a Siddh Peetha, a sacred site where the desires of devotees are believed to be fulfilled.
  • It is one of the three Siddh Peethas in Haridwar, alongside the Mansa Devi Temple and Maya Devi Temple.

Puranic Significance:

• The presiding deity, Goddess Chandi (Chandika), is associated with the legend of her victory over the demon kings Shumbha and Nishumbha.
• According to the Puranas, the gods, displaced from Swarga (heaven) by the demons, prayed to Parvati for deliverance. From her emerged Goddess Chandika, an exceptionally beautiful yet powerful warrior.
• Shumbha, enchanted by her beauty, sought to marry her, but upon refusal, he sent his demon generals Chanda and Munda to kill her. The goddess, in her fierce form Chamunda, defeated and killed them.
• Chandika then slew Shumbha and Nishumbha, restoring peace to the heavens. After this victory, she rested atop the Neel Parvat, where the temple stands today.
• The two peaks near the temple are named after the demon brothers, Shumbha and Nishumbha, as a testament to this legend.

Special Features:

• The temple is located approximately 4 km from Har Ki Pauri and is accessible by:
  • A 3-kilometer trekking route from Chandighat, with steps leading to the shrine.
  • A ropeway service, known as the Chandi Devi Udankhatola, which also connects to the nearby Mansa Devi Temple for the convenience of pilgrims.
• The temple draws thousands of devotees during:
  • Chandi Chaudas and Navratra festivals.
  • The Kumbh Mela, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world.

Century/Period

1929

Managed By

Department of Archaeology (DOA)

Nearest Bus Station

Haridwar 

Nearest Railway Station

Haridwar Junction

Nearest Airport

Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun

Location on Map

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