Maya Devi Temple In Haridwar
Maya Devi Temple is an ancient religious establishment of Haridwar which is counted as one of the shakti peeths present in India. The temple of Maya Devi falls is enshrined with the deity of Adhisthatri. The history of religion in Haridwar speaks of a rather interesting part of the Maya Devi Temple. Maya Devi Temple Haridwar is a Hindu Temple dedicated to goddess Maya in the holy city of Haridwar of Uttarakhand State in India. It is believed that the heart and navel of goddess Sati fell in the region where the temple stands today and thus it is sometimes referred to as a Shakti Peetha. Goddess Maya is the Adhisthatri deity of Haridwar. She is a three-headed and four-armed deity who is believed to be an incarnation of Shakti. Haridwar was previously known as Mayapuri in reverence to this deity. The temple is a Siddh Peetha which is the places of worship where desires get fulfilled. It is one of three such Peethas located in Haridwar, the other two being Chandi Devi Temple and Mansa Devi Temple.
According to the Hindu mythology, Sati (Lord Shiva's wife) set herself on fire to avenge the insulting demeanor of her father towards her husband. When Lord Shiva came to learn that Sati killed herself to keep his honor, he was filled with fury. An enraged Shiva undertook a tour of the whole universe carrying the dead body of Sati. It was during this tour that various body parts of Sati fell at different places. Hindus believe that it was at the temple site of Maya Devi where the naval and heart of Sati fell down. The religious beliefs state that the naval and heart of Sati were found in the very place where the Maya Devi temple stands today in Haridwar.
History of Maya Devi Temple
The history of the Maya Devi temple dates back to the 11th century. Devotees as well as tourists from all across the country and the world flock to Haridwar to visit the shrine and to seek blessings of goddess Maya Devi; the goddess represents shakti (divine power). Among the Hindu community this divine power is very highly regarded and revered. Maya Devi temple came into existence in Haridwar in the 11th century. This shows the ancient glory associated with this famous Maya Devi shrine of Haridwar. Devotees come to this sacred temple of Haridwar to offer their prayers to the presiding deity. The Goddess of Maya Devi temple resembles the form of Shakti and as such people worship this divine power.
Have you ever heard of Siddhapeeth Triangle in Haridwar? The temple of Maya Devi completes the trio along with Mansa Devi Temple and Chandi Devi Temple. So if you are in Haridwar on a pilgrimage tour, you can never afford to miss a visit to these temples, of which the Maya Devi temple is considered to be the vertex. A peek into the religious history of Haridwar tells you alot about the significance of the Maya Devi Temple. The temple, stand in dedication to goddess Maya Devi, who is also the Adhisthatri deity of Haridwar. According to what frequent pilgrims to Haridwar say, it is almost blasphemous if you visit Haridwar and miss a visit to the Maya Devi Temple.
Places to Visit in Maya Devi Temple
Maya Devi temple is one of the three ancient temples of Haridwar which are still intact, the other two being Narayana-shila and Bhairava Temple. The inner shrine consists of Murtis (icons) of goddesses Maya in the centre, Kali on the left, Kamakhya on the right. There are also two other goddesses who are also forms of Shakti, present in the inner shrine.
Things to do in Maya Devi Temple
Devotees who visit the temple usually like to take some Parasad (offerings) for the Goddess. There's no shortage of sellers, outside the temple. Bags containing a coconut and flowers sell for around 50 rupees, and it's possible to buy plates of flowers for around 20 rupees. Navaratri festival is celebrated here. People came here for full fill their requirement.
Places to Visit near Maya Devi Temple
Devotees can enjoy a holy dip in the Har ki Pauri Brahamakund just 1kms from the temple. Evening ritual (Arti) performed by the priests on the banks of river Ganga and enjoys some market near by the Har ki Pauri.
How to Reach Maya Devi Temple
The temple is located to the east of Har ki Pauri and is easily accessible by buses and auto rickshaws. Its only 04 km far from Haridwar, 30 km from Rishikesh, 215 km from Delhi, 50 km from Dehradun, 25 km from Jolly Grant Airport Dehradun, 85 km from Mussoorie.
