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Maya Devi Temple
About Maya Devi Temple
Far From City: 0 kms from city center
Cost:
About Maya Devi Temple
Weather:
Time Required:1-2 hrs
Open Time:
Darshan:6:30 AM - 12:00 PM, 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Aarti:6:30 AM
Cost:No entry fee
Legend of Maya Devi Temple
According to Hindu mythology, Sati, who was the divine concert of Lord Shiva, married him against her father's wishes. One time Daksh Prajapati, Sati's father, decided to perform a Yagya and invited all the days except Lord Shiva. Sati, even after knowing this reached her paternal home and asked her father to invite her husband. However, Daksh insulted her daughter and Lord Shiva. Unable to bear her husband's insult Sati self-immolated herself in the Yagya's Agni (fire).
When Lord Shiva heard of Satish sacrifice, he ordered Virbhadra and Khali to destroy the yagya and kill Daksha. Loaded with fury, he travelled the entire world carrying his wife's burnt corpse, moaning and dancing the dance of destruction (tandav). To save the universe from Shiva?s rage, Lord Vishnu ordered his Sudarshan Chakra and cut Sati's body into pieces.
These broken pieces fell on 52 different places in the Indian subcontinent. These pieces came to be known as Shakti Peeth. Goddess Maya Devi temple is formed where Sati's heart navel fell and is hence considered one of the most revered shakti peeth of all.
Structure of Maya Devi Temple
The ancient Maya Devi Temple was established in the eleventh century, along with two others: The Narayana-Shila Temple and the Bhairava Temple. All three still stand and have not been destroyed by time or environment to date, and have developed to be the centres for pilgrimage, seeking of blessing and worship.
Built with traditional north Indian architecture, it is a small temple that contains stucco pictures depicting different postures of the Devi. The inner shrine of the temple enshrines three idols, the Maya Devi in the centre, Goddess Kali on the left and Goddess Kamakhya on the right. Besides these, the temple also preserves two other goddesses, and both believed to be forms of the Goddess Shakti. There is also a metal idol of Chamunda and a sub-shrine to the Sheetala Devi. It is said that the goddess fulfils desires and wishes when prayed to with love and complete devotion.
Best time to visit Maya Devi Temple
You can visit the temple anytime during the year. However, visiting during Navratri and Kumbh Mela is very popular.
Try to Visit during early mornings or late evenings to escape the crowd of devotees.
How to Reach Maya Devi Temple
This temple is located on the Birla Ghat to the east of the Har ki Puri. It is at a distance of about 600m from Haridwar railway station. You can take a bus or an auto rickshaw from there.
Top Tourist Places in Haridwar
Ganga Aarti
Mansa Devi Temple
Har Ki Pauri
Chilla Wildlife Sanctuary
Vaishno Devi Temple
Maya Devi Temple
All Tourist Places in Haridwar
Tips
1. You can buy offering like garland, flowers and prasad for the Goddess from the vendors outside the temple only for INR 10-30.2. Photography is allowed inside the temple premises.
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