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Maya Kshetra - Gangadwar - Moksha Puri (Haridwar) - Pilgrimages and Temples


► I meditate on Haridwar where the sacred river Ganga first touches the plain and which is a place of Kumbha Mela.
► I meditate on Kankhal where Devi Sati gave up her body during Daksha Yagna and Lord Shiva destroyed the Yagna.
► I meditate on Haridwar which is the starting point of the Char Dham Yatra, and hence the gateway to the Dev Bhoomi of Uttarakhand.


• Greatness:

Maya Kshetra - Gangadwar - Moksha Puri (Haridwar): (314 m)

Haridwar, Haridwar district, Uttarakhand Haridwar (Haridwar district, Uttarakhand):
▬ River Ganga flows (Aarti)
Bilva Parvat
Nila Parvat

Devi: Devi Ganga, Maya Devi, Devi Sati, Chandi Devi, Mansa Devi, Sureshwari Devi
Shiva: Daksheshwar Mahadev, Bilvakeshwar Mahadev

Greatness:
1. Moksha Puri: Ayodhya is one of the seven Moksha Puris, a sacred place bestowing liberation (Ayodhya, Mathura, Maya, Kashi, Kanchi, Avantika, Dwaravati).

2. Place of Kumbha Mela: Haridwar is one of the places where Kumbha Mela is held (Prayaga, Haridwar, Ujjain, Nashik).

3. Gateway to Char Dham: Haridwar is the gateway to Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra.

Puranic References:
Skanda Purana - Kedara Khanda (About the places in Garhwal Himalayas)
Sapta Mokshapuri Sloka



• Places to See:


(A) River Ganga Ghats:

1. Har ki Paidi (Har ki Paudi) (Brahma Kund):

Har ki Paidi, Haridwar district, Uttarakhand Haridwar, 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.

2. Asthi Pravah Ghat:

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.

3. Subhash Ghat:

The Subhash Ghat is located next to Asthi Pravah Ghat. There is a statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

4. Gau Ghat:

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.

5. Kushavarta Ghat:

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.

There are many other ghats towards the south like Ram Ghat, Vishnu Ghat, Sati Ghat etc.


(B) Temples:

1. Maya Devi Temple:

Maya Devi Temple, Haridwar district, Uttarakhand 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.

2. Daksheshwar Mahadev Temple:

Daksheswar Mahadev Temple, Haridwar district, Uttarakhand 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 Kunda in this temple where Devi Sati gave up her body.

3. Mansa Devi Temple: (Bilva Parvat)

Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar district, Uttarakhand 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.

4. Chandi Devi Temple: (Nila Parvat)

Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar district, Uttarakhand 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).

5. Bilvakeshwar Mahadev Temple (or Bilkeshwar Mahadev Temple): (Valley of Bilva Parvat)

Bilvakeshwar Mahadev Temple, Haridwar district, Uttarakhand The famous temple of Bilvakeshwar 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.

6. Saptarshi Temple:

Saptarshi Temple, Haridwar district, Uttarakhand 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.

7. Sureshwari Devi Temple: (Surkut Parvat)

Sureshwari Devi Temple, Haridwar district, Uttarakhand The famous Sureshwari Devi Temple is located 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.

8. Bharat Mata Temple:

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.


• Location:

Haridwar is located in the Haridwar district of Uttarakhand.


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Last updated on Jan-2025

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