Maya Devi Temple, Haridwar, Uttarakhand
Maya Devi Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Goddess
Sakthi located in the holy city of Haridwar in Uttarakhand state of India. The
presiding deity, goddess Maya is an incarnation of goddess Shakti.
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.
This temple is also among the Chota Char Dham Yatra package within
Uttarakhand.
The history of the Maya Devi temple dates back to the 11th
century. The temple is a Siddh Peetha which are 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. 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.
Legends
As per a legend, when Daksha (Sati’s father) organized a
Yagna, he did not invite Sati and Shiva. But Sati still went to meet her father
and mother. However, Daksha, who loathed Shiva, did not receive her warmly and
said disrespectful things. This angered Sati and she committed self-immolation
in the fire pit of yagna Kund, due to an insult committed by
her father Daksha towards her consort Lord Shiva during the Yaga. Raged by the
death of Sati, Lord Shiva destroyed the Yaga of Daksha and
with the body of Sati in his hands started to do
'Tandava'. Lord Vishnu cut the dead body of Goddess Sati with his Sudarshan to
free Lord Shiva from the grief caused by her death. Parts of the dead body of
Goddess Sati were scattered to fifty-two different places, which were
consecrated as Shakti Pithas. Devotees believe that her navel and heart fell at
the place where Maya Devi temple stands today.
The 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 idols 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. The
significance of Maya Devi Temple Haridwar is that the main deity, goddess Maya
has four arms and three heads. The temple is located to the east of Har
ki Pauri.
Festivals
Navratri and Kumbha Mela are the festivals celebrated
here with much fanfare.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 600 meters from Haridwar,
700 meters from Haridwar Railway Junction, 1 Km from Haridwar Bus Stand, 2 Kms
from Har Ki Pauri, 21 Kms from Rishikesh, 39 Kms from Dehradun Jolly Grant
Airport, 54 Kms from Dehradun and 228 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 Maya
Devi Temple by taking local Buses, Rickshaws, Tongas or by hiring Taxis from
Haridwar.
Location
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