Haridwar Har ki Pauri and Ganga Aarti Devi Sati Daksheswar Mahadev Temple Bilvakeshwar Mahadev Temple Maya Devi Temple Mansa Devi Temple Chandi Devi Temple Sureshwari Devi Temple Saptarshi Temple Bharat Mata Temple
• Devi: Devi Sati gave up her body during the Daksha Yagna at Kankhal and hence the place came to be known as Maya Kshetra (Haridwar).
- Haridwar also has the famous Hill temples of Devi Chandi and Devi Manasa. There are also famous temples of Maya Devi and Sureshwari Devi.
- Kankhal Daksheswar Mahadev Temple
- Chandi Devi Temple
- Mansa Devi Temple
- Maya Devi Temple
- Sureshwari Devi Temple
• Shiva: Lord Shiva destroyed the Daksha Yagna at Kankhal of Maya Kshetra (Haridwar) and abides there as Daksheshwar Mahadev.
- Lord Shiva also abides there as the famous Bilvakeshwar Mahadev.
- Kankhal Daksheswar Mahadev Temple
- Bilvakeshwar Mahadev Temple
• Ganga: River Ganga flows through Haridwar and Ganga Aarti is performed at Har ki Pauri. There is also a temple of Devi Ganga at Har ki Pauri.
- Har ki Pauri
- Devi Ganga Temple
अयोध्या मथुरा माया काशी काञ्ची अवन्तिका । पुरी द्वारावती चैव सप्तैते मोक्षदायकाः ॥
- Sapta Mokshapuri Sloka (Maya Kshetra is a Moksha Puri)
शिवाय गौरीवदनाब्जवृन्द_सूर्याय दक्षाध्वरनाशकाय । श्रीनीलकण्ठाय वृषध्वजाय तस्मै शि_काराय नमः शिवाय ॥
- Shiva Panchakshara Stotram - verse 3 (Lord Shiva destroyed the Sacrifice of Daksha)
क्षत्रत्राणकरी महाऽभयकरी माता कृपासागरी साक्षान्मोक्षकरी सदा शिवकरी विश्वेश्वरश्रीधरी । दक्षाक्रन्दकरी निरामयकरी काशीपुराधीश्वरी भिक्षां देहि कृपावलम्बनकरी मातान्नपूर्णेश्वरी ॥
- Annapoorna Stotram - verse 10 (Devi Sati made Daksha cry)
देवि सुरेश्वरि भगवति गङ्गे त्रिभुवनतारिणि तरलतरङ्गे । शङ्करमौलिविहारिणि विमले मम मतिरास्तां तव पदकमले ॥
- Ganga Stotram - verse 1 (River Ganga flows through Maya Kshetra)
▬ Daksha Yagna (Shiva Purana - Rudra Samhita - Sati Khanda - 27 to 43)
▬ Greatness of Maya Kshetra (Haridwar): Destruction of Daksha Yagna and name of the kshetra from Maya (Devi Sati). (Skanda Purana - Kedara Khanda - 103 to 105)
▬ Gangadwar and Swargadwar (Haridwar): When river Ganga descended on the earth, this kshetra came to be known as Gangadwar and Swargadwar. (Skanda Purana - Kedara Khanda - 106)
The ancient famous Daksheshwar Mahadev Temple is located in Kankhal. It is said that king Daksha performed the Daksha Yagna in this place. Devi Sati gave up her body during that Yagna. There is a Sati Kund in this temple where Devi Sati gave up her body.
The ancient name of Haridwar is Mayapuri. The presiding deity of this place is Maya Devi. The Maya Devi Temple of Haridwar is an ancient temple. Apart from the image of Maya Devi, the temple also has the images of Devi Chamunda, Devi Durga and Devi Bhadrakali.
River Ganga flows through Haridwar between the Bilva Parvat and Nila Parvat (Shivalik range). The famous Mansa Devi Temple is located on the Bilva Parvat. Mansa Devi is said to be the daughter of sage Kashyapa and sister of Vasuki Nag. Thousands of people visit this temple daily.
River Ganga flows through Haridwar between the Bilva Parvat and Nila Parvat (Shivalik range). The famous Chandi Devi Temple is located on the Nila Parvat. Thousands of people visit this temple daily. There is a temple of Devi Anjana (mother of Bhakta Hanuman nearby).
The famous Sureshwari Devi Temple is around 10 km away from Haridwar. The temple is situated on the Surkut Parvat within the dense forest of Ranipur (Rajaji National park area). It is said the Indra deva performed penance here and got the darshan of the Devi.
The ancient famous Daksheshwar Mahadev Temple is located in Kankhal. It is said that king Daksha performed the Daksha Yagna in this place. Devi Sati gave up her body during that Yagna. There is a Sati Kund in this temple where Devi Sati gave up her body.
The famous temple of Bilvakeshwar or Bilkeshwar Mahadev is located on the valley of Bilva Parvat. There is a Gauri Kund in this temple where Devi Parvati is said to have performed penance under a Bilva tree and obtained Lord Shiva as her husband.
Temples and Places of Devi Ganga in Haridwar:
• When river Ganga descended on Earth, Maya Kshetra came to be known as Gangadwar and Swargadwar (Skanda Purana - Kedara Khanda - 106)
► Haridwar - Har ki Paidi or Har ki Paudi (Haridwar district, Uttarakhand)
Har ki Paidi (Har ki Paudi) is a famous ghat of Haridwar bustling with people and dotted with small temple shrines. The place is also known as Brahma Kund. The temple of Devi Ganga is situated here and the famous Ganga Aarti is held here every evening. The famous Purna Kumbha Mela (every 12 years) and Ardha Kumbha Mela (every 6 years) is also held here.
Bhatrihari (a philosopher and elder brother of king Vikramaditya) is said to have composed the "Niti Shatakam" and "Vairagya Shatakam" in this place. King Vikramaditya is said to have built this ghat in memory of his brother Bhatrihari.
The Asthi Pravah Ghat is located next to Har ki Paidi towards the south. This is the place where people come to flow the ashes of the deceased in the sacred waters of the Ganga.
The Gau Ghat is located next to Subhash Ghat. This ghat is said to have been named after the divine cow Kamadhenu. People come here to wash their sins and fulfill their wishes.
The Kushavarta Ghat is located next to Gau Ghat. This is the place where people come to perform the Pitri Tarpana (Rites of the deceased). It is said that Lord Dattatreya perfomed penance in this place.
The famous Saptarshi Temple is located around 2 km from Har ki Paidi. The temple is associated with the legend of the descent of river Ganga. When river Ganga descended on Earth and came to Haridwar, it flowed in seven streams near the hermitages of the seven sages to show honour and get their blessings. The Saptarshi Temple is situated here.
► Haridwar - Bharat Mata Temple (Haridwar district, Uttarakhand)
The famous Bharat Mata temple depicts the harmony of India. It is a temple with multiple storeys.
1. The first floor is dedicated to Bharat Mata.
2. The second floor (Shoor Mandir) is dedicated to the heroes of India.
3. The third floor (Matru Mandir) is dedicated to the famous women of India.
4. The fourth floor (Sant Mandir) is dedicated to the famous saints of India.
5. The fifth floor depicts the harmony of various religions.
6. The sixth floor is dedicated to different forms of goddess Shakti.
7. The seventh floor is dedicated to the incarnations of Lord Vishnu.
8. The eighth floor is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Preserve Nature and Nature will Preserve Us,
Simplify Life and help Nature Thrive,
Plant Trees and make the Planet Green,
Connect with Earth, Connect with Dharma, Connect with Being.
• Devi Sati giving up her body in the Daksha Yagna.
• When river Ganga descended on Earth, Maya Kshetra came to be known as Gangadwar and Swargadwar