Chandi Devi Temple in Haridwar is situated on the eastern side of the Shivalik Hills, known as Neel Parvat. The temple represents the fierce form of the goddess Durga, who killed the two demons Shumbha and Nishumbha to establish world peace and order. This blog will discuss the history, ropeway, timings, darshan and complete travel guide for Chandi Devi Temple in Haridwar. It is one of the most visited temples in Haridwar, which is believed to have been established by Adi Shankaracharya himself in the 8^th century and later constructed by the king Suchat Singh of Kashmir in 1929. It is also considered one of the Siddha Peethas of Haridwar and is frequently visited by devotees seeking freedom from negative energies, strength, protection, and more.

Why Chandi Devi Temple is Famous?

This temple is famous for its story, traditions, and beliefs. The story of this temple revolves around Shumbha and Nishumbha, who were killed by the devi to establish world order and peace in the world. The tradition of this temple dates back to Adi Shankaracharya, who established it, and it is one of the major Siddha Peethas of the Shakta tradition. The fierce form of Goddess Chandi represents strength, freedom, protection, and more, attracting devotees to seek blessings for strength, freedom from negativity, and protection from enemies.

History of Chandi Devi Temple

The history of Chandi Devi Temple dates back to when the demons Shumbh and Nishumbh captured Indra's palace and began disturbing the world order. The Gods then approached Devi Parvati for the solution. With the divine intervention of gods and goddesses, Devi Chandi emerged to kill Shumbh and Nishumbh. The demons first send Chand and Munda to fight with the Devi. Upon the defeat of Chanda and Munda, they challenged the Devi to a fight and got defeated.

After defeating all the demons, Devi rested on the Neel Parvat at a place that later became a temple to honour the Devi and seek her blessings. It is believed that the main idol was established by Adi Shankaracharya himself, which was later turned into a temple by the King of Kashmir, Suchat Singh, in 1929.

Chandi Devi Temple Ropeway Details

Chandi Devi Temple Ropeway, also known as Chandi Devi Udankhatola, starts from the Najibabad side of Haridwar near Chandi Ghat and takes devotees on a scenic ride past Neel Parvat and its greenery. This Ropeway has made it possible for senior citizens to have a darshan of the devi and immerse themselves in Bhakti.

Chandi Devi Udankhatola timing, as per the official website, is between 7 am and 6 pm, and the fare for the Chandi Devi Temple round trip is 240 and 125 for children. Devotees should check the official website for the exact price and booking details, as they can change depending on the season, demand, and policies.

It is recommended to arrive early on special days and during seasons, especially public holidays, Navratri, and weekends.

How to Reach Chandi Devi Temple

Everyone has to reach the Chandi Devi Udankhatola base point in the Najibabad region of Haridwar, near Chandi Ghat. They can either go by trekking or by ropeway from the base point.

By Train: The nearest railway station is Haridwar Railway Junction, which is about 4-5 kms from the Chandi Devi Temple ropeway point. Shared taxis, cabs, and rickshaws are easily available at the Haridwar Junction for Chandi Devi.

By Road: Haridwar is well-connected to all major cities in India. It is recommended to reach the Chandi Devi Udankhatola base point in the Najibabad area of Haridwar, which is near Chandi Ghat.

By Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun. It is around a 1.5-hour drive from Jolly Grant to the Chandi Devi Ropeway base point. Shared Taxis, cabs and auto-rickshaws are also available at the airport.

Best Time to Visit Chandi Devi Temple

The best time to visit the Chandi Devi Temple in Haridwar is between October and April, when the weather is pleasant, and the surroundings are scenic. It is recommended to plan an early morning visit in summer and during holidays, weekends, Navratri, etc.

Chandi Devi Temple Timings

The temple timings at Chandi Devi Temple in Haridwar are generally between 6 am and 8 pm. Morning aarti is around 5.30 am, and evening aarti is at 7 pm. The timings can vary on special occasions such as Navratri.

Places to Visit Near Chandi Devi Temple

After visiting the Chandi Devi Temple in Haridwar, there are several other pilgrimage sites to visit. These include the Mansa Devi Temple on Bilwa Parvat. Devotees worship both Chandi Devi and Mansa Devi together. The Maya Devi Temple, one of Haridwar’s ancient temples, forms a triangular circuit with Chandi Devi and Mansa Devi. Har Ki Pauri, the most visited place in Haridwar, is home to the famous Brahma Kund. The Gauri Shankar Mahadev Temple and the Daksha Prajapati Temple in Kankhal, Haridwar, which house the Shaiva and Shakti traditions, are also notable. The Bharat Mata Mandir is another site to visit.

Conclusion:

Chandi Devi Temple in Haridwar is a popular pilgrimage site for devotees from across India and abroad. It is one of the major Shakti Peethas of the Shakta tradition. Its history and significance are timeless and deeply rooted. Devotees visit to seek blessings and protection from negativity.