Chandi Devi Temple, Haridwar, Uttarakhand

Chandi Devi Temple, Haridwar, Uttarakhand

Chandi Devi Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Goddess Sakthi located in the holy city of Haridwar in Uttarakhand state of India. The temple is situated atop the Neel Parvat on the Eastern summit of the Shivalik Hills, the southernmost mountain chain of the Himalayas. The temple also known as Neel Parvat Teerth is one of the Panch Tirth (Five Pilgrimages) located within Haridwar.

Chandi Devi Temple is highly revered by devotees as a Siddh Peetha which is a place of worship where desires get fulfilled. It is one of three such Peethas located in Haridwar, the other two being Mansa Devi Temple and Maya Devi Temple. Also, Chandi Devi Temple is one of the popular Shaktipeeth in Haridwar. The pilgrims can visit the temple by the ropeway in around 5 minutes while the steep climb by steps takes over 45 minutes.

Legends

Goddess Chandi also known as Chandika is the presiding deity of the temple. The story of the origin of Chandika is as follows: Long time ago, the demon kings Shumbha and Nishumbha had captured the kingdom of the gods and king of heaven - Indra and thrown the gods from Swarga (heaven). After intense prayers by the gods, Parvati assumed the form of Chandi, an exceptionally beautiful woman and amazed by her beauty, Shumbha desired to marry her.

On being refused, Shumbha sent his demon chiefs Chanda and Munda to kill her. They were killed by goddess Chamunda who originated out of Chandika's anger. Shumbha and Nishumbha then collectively tried to kill Chandika but were instead slain by the goddess. Thereafter, Chandika is said to have rested for a short while at the top of Neel Parvat and later a temple was built here to testify the legend. Also, the two peaks located in the mountain range are called Shumbha and Nishumbha.

History

Chandi Devi Temple was built in 1929 by Suchat Singh in his reign as the King of Kashmir. However, the main Murti of Chandi Devi at the temple is said to have been installed in the 8^th century by Adi Shankaracharya, one of the greatest saints of Hindu religion.

The Temple

The temple is situated atop the Neel Parvat on the Eastern summit of the Shivalik Hills, the southernmost mountain chain of the Himalayas. To reach the temple one has to either follow the 3 Kms trekking route from Chandi Ghat and reach the shrine by climbing a number of steps or climb the recently introduced rope-way (cable car) service. The rope-way service known as Chandi Devi Udankhatola was introduced for the benefit of the pilgrims.

The rope-way carries the pilgrims from the lower station located near Gauri Shankar Temple on the Naziabad Road directly to the Chandi Devi Temple located at an altitude of 2,900 metres (9,500 ft). The total length of the ropeway route is about 740 metres (2,430 ft) and height is 208 metres (682 ft).

There is a dense forest on the other side of the hill and the ropeway offers scenic views of the Ganges River and Haridwar. The temple is run by the Mahant who is the presiding priest of the temple. Leather accessories, non-vegetarian food and alcoholic drinks are strictly prohibited in the temple premises. The Temple of Anjana Devi, mother of Lord Hanuman is located nearby. Neeleshwar Temple is also situated at the foot of the Neel Parvat.

It is said that Mansa and Chandi, the two forms of goddess Parvati always reside close to each other. The temple of Mansa is exactly on the other side of the hilltop on the Bilwa Parvat on the opposite bank of River Ganges. This belief can also be found true in other case since near to Mata Mansa Devi Mandir in Panchkula, Haryana, there is a Chandi Mandir located nearby in Chandigarh.

Temple Opening Time

On a normal day, the temple is open between 6.00 am. to 8.00 pm. and the morning aarti at the temple begins at 5.30 am.

Festivals

Chandi Chaudas, Navratri and Kumbha Mela are the famous festivals celebrated here.

Prayers

Thousands of devotees flock to the temple to seek the blessings of the goddesses who is believed to fulfill their wishes.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 2 Kms from Haridwar, 3 Kms from Haridwar Railway Junction, 3.5 Kms from Haridwar Bus Stand, 4 Kms from Har Ki Pauri, 22 Kms from Rishikesh, 40 Kms from Dehradun Jolly Grant Airport, 55 Kms from Dehradun and 230 Kms from New Delhi Airport. Haridwar is situated on highway No. 45 and is connected to all major centers in the region and other parts of the country by well-maintained roads. One can easily reach Chandi Devi Temple by taking local Buses, Rickshaws, Tongas or by hiring Taxis from Haridwar.

To reach the temple one has to either follow 3 Kms trekking route from Chandi Ghat and reach the shrine by climbing a number of steps or take the recently introduced rope-way (cable car) service. Though it is a wonderful experience to trek up to the temple, visitors also have the option of using the ropeway to reach there. If you enjoy steep climbs, you will take 45 minutes to reach the temple of Chandi Devi in Haridwar. However, you can cut short the travelling time by choosing the ropeway; reaching the temple by ropeway takes up just 5-10 minutes.

Location

Bhavishya Badri, Joshimath, Uttarakhand

Bhavishya Badri, Joshimath, Uttarakhand

Bhavishya Badri is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located close to Joshimath in the state of Uttarakhand, India. The temple is located to the east of Joshimath, which is a popular town en route to Badrinath and an important military cantonment. It is located in a village called Subhain in the Niti valley. Bhavishya Badri is part of famous Panch Badri and Saptha Badri Temples of Uttarakhand. Enshrined in the temple is an idol of Narasimha, the lion-faced incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Adi Shankaracharya founded this temple while the priests traditionally come from south India.

Legends

According to the legend of Bhavishya Badri (literally "Badri of the future"), when evil transcends the world, the mountains of Nara and Narayana would block up the route to Badrinath and the sacred shrine would become inaccessible. The present world will be destroyed and a new one established. Then, Badrinath will appear at the Bhavishya Badri temple and be worshipped here, instead of the Badrinath shrine. The shrine of Narsingh Badri at Joshimath is closely associated with the legend of Bhavishya Badri.

The Temple

The presiding deity of this small temple is Lord Narsimha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and known to be the future seat of Badrinath.

Best Time to Visit

The ideal time or peak season to go for a Char Dham Yatra is from May to October, except monsoons. This is because; all the four sacred sites are perched in Garhwal Himalayas, which is prone to heavy snowfall. As a result, all the passage leading to the shrines are blocked. Moreover, during the monsoon season, there is undue threat of having landslides, which can further disrupt the journey. For safety reasons, the gates of the temples are also closed for this period of time and the idols are shifted to nearby pilgrim points.

Connectivity

Bhavishya Badri is located at about 23 Kms from Joshimath, 63 Kms from Badrinath, 102 Kms from Karnaprayag, 135 Kms from Rudraprayag, 274 Kms from Rishikesh, 272 Kms from Rishikesh Railway Station, 295 Kms from Haridwar Railway Junction, 294 Kms from Haridwar, 289 Kms from Dehradun Jolly Grant Airport and 526 Kms from New Delhi Airport. Bhavishya Badri is situated at about 23 Kms from Joshimath, beyond Tapovan and approach is through dense forest, only by trekking. It is situated on an ancient pilgrim route to Mount Kailash and Manasarovar, along the Dhauli Ganges River. 

It is situated on the way from Tapovan to Lata in the Niti valley. Bhavishya Badri is connected by a motorable road to Saldhar, beyond which, trek is required to reach the shrine. The initial trekking path from Saldhar to Subhain village is very steep and approximately takes one hour. From Subhain, the destination is about 2 Km trek through unmarked path. It is advised to take a guide at Subhain village to complete the remaining part of the trek. Accommodation cab be arranged in home stays by villagers of Subhain.

Location

Baleshwar Temple, Champawat, Uttarakhand

Baleshwar Temple, Champawat, Uttarakhand

Baleshwar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, situated within city of Champawat in Uttarakhand State of India. Champawat was formerly the capital of the Chand dynasty rulers of Kumaon. The Baleshwar Temple was built by the Chand rulers in the 12^th century and is an excellent monument with marvelous stone carving works.

History

The Temple was built by the rulers of the Chand Dynasty. There is no correct information about the construction of the Baleshwar temple. It is believed that the construction of this temple was built between the 10^th and the 12^th centuries. Baleshwar temple has been declared as National Heritage Monument in Champawat and has been maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India since 1952.

The Temple

The main temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva known as Baleshwar. There are two other temples in the complex of Baleshwar temple, one is dedicated to Ratneshwar and the other is dedicated to the temple Champawati Durga. The exteriors of Ratneshwar and Champawati Durga temples are carved with the different posters of the local deities. The architecture of the temple is based on South Indian style or it resembles the one which is found in the temples of South India.

It is a beautiful medieval temple with two shrines joined together by a covered passage each half consisting of a sanctum sanctorum and mandapam’ Of the entire structure the domed mandapam of the western shrine has survived. The other parts of the temple seemed to have fallen long back as they have not been conserved. Only the lower portion of the wall remains to a height of about six feet. The sanctum sanctorum consists of seven vertical segments along the axis.

The mandapam wall, instead of seven has five offsets on each face. The sanctum sanctorum and the mandapam are six and 12 feet square. The adjoining western shrine exhibits its details in a comparatively better manner. The moulded plinth of the shrine is wholly visible. The mandapam is square with small projecting porticoes on the north and south. Originally it was supported on 12 pillars three of which have fallen down. All the existing pillars are erected on a parapet wall, three feet and six inches high.

The surviving roof is domical with intricate architectural designs. The shrine is full of carvings. There are registers of elephant friezes running throughout the basement wall. The upper portion contains figures of Brahma, Vishnu and Siva with their consorts. The pillars are also decorated profusely with floral designs, geometrical patterns and tiny human figures, which cannot be identified owing to bad preservation. Adjacent to the Baleshwar Temple is a Naula which is a fresh water resource.

Festivals

Maha Shivarathri is the most important festival of the temple. A fair is held on the occasion of Mahasivarathri where local handicrafts, local food, the traditional folklores, and dances are a major attraction.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 73 Kms from Pithoragarh, 75 Kms from Tanakpur Railway Station, 151 Kms from Nainital, 170 Kms from Pantnagar Airport and 424 Kms from New Delhi Airport.

Location

Baijnath Temple Complex, Baijnath, Uttarakhand

Baijnath Temple Complex, Baijnath, Uttarakhand

Baijnath Temple Complex is a cluster of 18 Hindu temples, situated in the town of Baijnath in Bageshwar District  in Uttarakhand, India. The complex is situated along the banks of Gomati river at an elevation of 1,125 m (3,691 ft) above mean sea level. These temples are renowned for possibly being one of the very few temples in the world where Parvati is depicted with her husband Shiva. Pilgrims arrive here on occasion of Shivaratri and Makar Sankranti. Baijnath Temple Complex has been recognized as Monuments of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India in Uttarakhand. Baijnath has been selected as one of the four places to be connected by the ‘Shiva Heritage Circuit’ in Kumaon, under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme of the Government of India.

Legends

Lord Shiva’s divine marriage:

The temple holds significance because, according to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva and Parvati were married at the confluence of River Gomati and Garur Ganga.

Brahmin woman built this Temple:

Legend goes that the temple was built by a Brahmin woman and dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Katyuri Kings built this Temple in one night:

It is also believed that it was built in one night by katyuri kings.

History

Baijnath, then known as Kartikeyapura, was the seat of the Katyuri kings who ruled over an area consisting of combined parts of Garhwal and Kumaon in modern-day state of Uttarakhand, India and Doti in Modern day Nepal. When the Katyuri kings shifted their capital from Joshimath to Kartikeyapura, a large number of followers of Shaiva sects like the Lakulisa, Nath (Kanphata), Jangam, Vairagi, Sanyasi also followed them. In order to rehabilitate them, The Katyuris built a large complex of temples dedicated to Vaidyanath Shiva, the name later got corrupted to Baijnath.

The first permanent settlement of the area was a town named Karvirpur or Karbirpur. The ruins of this town were used by Katyuri King Narsingh Deo to establish his capital in the area. Nepalese invader Kranchaldev invaded Baijnath in 1191, and defeated the Katyuri kings. The weakened Katyuri Kingdom later disintegrated in the 13^th century giving rise to 8 different princely states. Baijnath remained under the rule of Baijnath Katyurs, descendants of Katyuri kings, till 1565 until king Balo Kalyan Chand of Almora annexed Baijnath to Kumaon.

In 1791, the Gorkhas of Nepal while expanding their kingdom westwards across Kali River, invaded and overran Almora, the seat of the Kumaon Kingdom and other parts of Kumaon. The Gorkhas were defeated by the East India Company in Anglo-Nepalese War in 1814 and were forced to cede Kumaon to the British as part of the Treaty of Sugauli in 1816. In 1901 it was a small village with a population of 148.

This Temple is said to have been built by the Kumaon Katyuri king in around 1150 A.D. Several inscriptions dating back to AD 1202 have been found in the Temple complex. The temples were restored and rebuilt during the reign of king Gyan Chand. The temple complex was plundered by the Rohillas in AD 1743-1744 which led to the destruction of the Shikhar of the main shrine.

The Temple Complex

Baijnath Temple complex is a cluster of 18 stone temples, located in the eastern part of the Baijnath town on the left bank of Gomati river. The temple is approached from the riverside by a flight of steps made of stones constructed by the orders of a Katyuri queen. On the way to the main temple, just below the house of the Mahanta, is the temple of Bamani. The main shrine in the complex is dedicated to Vaidyanath Shiva in the form of a lingam. The depiction of Parvati, made of grey chloride schist, is a marvel of art. 

Another sculptural element of note is a life-size image of Kal Bhairava in vilasasana seated outside the Vaidyanath Temple. There are 102 stone images, some of which are under worship, while other have been reserved by the Archaeological Survey of India. The principle deities at Baijnath temple complex are the Vaidyanath (Shiva), Parvati, Nrithya, Kartikeya, Narsimha, Brahma, Mahishasuramardhini, Sapta Matrikas, Surya, Garuda and Kubera.

An artificial lake near the temple compound was announced in 2007-2008. It was completed and inaugurated on 14 January 2016 by Harish Rawat, the then Chief Minister of Uttarakhand. The lake is full of “Golden Mahaseer” fishes. Although fishing is strictly restricted at this site, the lake is a major tourist attraction where tourists offer Chana to fishes. The nearby market is Garur which is supposed to be one of the oldest in the region.

Satyanarayan temple is also located nearby. It is just a small walk away from the main temple complex. Around 2 Kms from Baijnath there is a temple of Bhagwati Mata Kot Bhramri Devi Temple or (Kot Ka Mandir), which once was a fort owned by the Katyuri Kings. Also, there is a myth that Adi Guru Shankaracharya stayed on this temple overnight while en route to Badrinath.

There is widespread belief among the local populace that the goddess, (after whom the temple is named) Kot Bhramri Devi’s, Goddess face should not be shown to anyone except the priest of the temple if not followed this advice the entire Katyur Valley will face ill luck and massive disaster will follow hence backside of the goddess is worshipped, except during the annual festival of Nandaashtmi during Bhadrapad Ashtami or Radha Ashtami during September month (the state government declares as State holiday) or when the Raj Jaat Yatra which takes place once in twelve year.

Since last 150 Years buffalo and Lamb used to be sacrificed in the name of Nandaashtmi has been stopped by The Honorable High Court of Nainital on a Public Interest Litigation filed by Animal Protection Society and as a result under police protection this practice has stopped. Though the Goddess Ma Bhramri is Satvik but some 200 years back during Nepalese Invasion and their Kingdom, local deity Ma Nandadevi’s status got installed at Kot Bhramri Mandir as a result animal sacrifice got started some 200 years back.

Connectivity

The Temple Complex is located at about 17 Kms from Kausani, 21 Kms from Bageshwar, 69 Kms from Almora, 90 Kms from Karnaprayag, 98 Kms from Jageshwar, 131 Kms from Nainital, 150 Kms from Kathgodam Railway Station, 184 Kms from Pantnagar Airport and 443 Kms from New Delhi Airport.

By Road:

Baijnath is well connected by motorable roads with major destinations of Uttarakhand state and northern India.

By Train:

Nearest Railway Station is Kathgodam Railway Station. Kathgodam is the last terminus of the broad gauge line of North East Railways that connects Kumaon with Delhi, Dehradun, and Howrah.

By Air:

Pantnagar Airport, located in Pantnagar is the primary Airport serving entire Kumaon Region. Indira Gandhi International Airport, located in Delhi is the nearest international Airport.

Location | Photos

Bagnath Temple, Bageshwar, Uttarakhand

Bagnath Temple, Bageshwar, Uttarakhand

Bagnath Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, situated in the Bageshwar city in Uttarakhand State, India. The Temple is situated at the confluence of Sarayu and Gomati rivers. It is the most famous Temple in Bageshwar District. It is flooded with devotees on the occasion of Shivaratri. The city of Bageshwar gets its name from this Temple. It has an Elevation of 1004 m above mean sea level.

Legends

Bageshwar:

According to Skanda Purana, Rishi Vasishta was asked to bring down River Sarayu by Lord Brahma. But as Rishi Markandeya was meditating on its path it was not possible for Sarayu to flow. So, Rishi Vasishta prayed to Lord Shiva and asked for his help. Lord Shiva took the form of a Lion and came down on this place along with Parvati in the form of cow. The Lion (Lord Shiva) attacked the Cow (Mother Parvati) in front of Rishi Markandeya, who after hearing the fight opened his eyes and saved the Cow.

As soon as Rishi Markandeya left his spot, Sarayu flowed freely and came down. Lord Shiva in the form of Byaghra (Lion) blessed Markandeya Rishi and the place came to be called as Baghreshwar which later got corrupted to Bageshwar. Baghreshwar originally meant the adobe where lord Shiva appeared as Byaghra (Lion) but the term Bageshwar denotes Bag (tiger). A Chanda dynasty king Laxmi Chanda established the temple of Bageshwar.

Manorath Pandey:

As per local folklore, the Shiva Linga could not be installed in the temple and whoever tried to do so, were either punished or died. It was finally installed by a local man – Shri Manorath Pandey who belonged to Palayan Village after he performed hard penance and got blessed by lord Shiva himself.

History

Sanskrit inscription here confirms the construction details. Though some sources state The existence of Bagnath temple since 7^th Century, the present building in nagara style was built in 1450 by Chand ruler, Laxmi Chand. The various statues in the temple date back from 7^th century AD to 16^th century AD. The significance of the temple finds mention in the Skanda Purana. A water police post was opened in the premises of the temple on 19 September 2016 for patrolling and prevention of water crimes in the city.

The Temple

Presiding Deity is called as Bageshwar / Vyagreswar. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. There are idols and shrines of Chaturmukhi Shiva Linga, Trimurti Shiva Linga, Dasavatara, Bhairava, Dattatreya Maharaj, Ganga Maiya, Lord Hanuman, Goddess Durga, Goddess Kalika, Thingal Bhairava, Panchnam Junakhara and Vaneswar in the Temple premises.

Festivals & Religious Practices

The Utharayana fair is held in the month of January every year on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. The religious ritual of the fair consists in bathing before daybreak at the confluence. After Bathing, an offering of water to Lord Shiva inside the Temple is essential. Those who are more religiously disposed, continue this practice for three days in succession, which is known as Trimaghi. The Bagnath Temple attracts thousands of Shiva Devotees every month and especially on the day of Shivaratri.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 1 Km from Bageshwar Bus Station, 22 Kms from Baijnath, 71 Kms from Almora, 77 Kms from Jageshwar, 132 Kms from Nainital, 151 Kms from Kathgodam Railway Station, 185 Kms from Pantnagar Airport and 449 Kms from New Delhi Airport.

By Road:

Bageshwar is well connected by motorable roads with major destinations of Uttarakhand state and northern India. The major roads passing through Bageshwar include NH 309A, Bareilly-Bageshwar Highway, Bageshwar-Garur-Gwaldam Road, Bageshwar-Someshwar-Dwarahat road and the Bageshwar-Kapkot-Tejam Road. Uttarakhand Transport Corporation runs Buses Bageshwar bus station to Delhi, Dehradun and Almora; while K.M.O.U (Kumaon Motor Owner's Union) runs 55 buses on various routes to Haldwani, Almora, Takula, Berinag, Pithoragarh, Didihat and Gangolihat. Taxis and Private Buses, mostly run by K.M.O.U, connect Bageshwar to other major destinations of Kumaon region. 

By Train:

Nearest Railway Station is Kathgodam Railway Station. Kathgodam is the last terminus of the broad gauge line of North East Railways that connects Kumaon with Delhi, Dehradun, and Howrah.

By Air:

Pantnagar Airport, located in Pantnagar is the primary Airport serving entire Kumaon Region. Indira Gandhi International Airport, located in Delhi is the nearest international Airport.

Location