Chandi Devi Temple Haridwar

The Chandi Devi Temple of Haridwar is an attractive temple dedicated to Goddess Chanda Devi situated on the Neel Parvat in the Shivalik hills. Chandi Temple, also known as Neel Parvat Tirth, is one of the five pilgrimages of Haridwar and is also known as Siddha Peeth, where devotees worship to get their wishes fulfilled. Due to its location, Chandi Temple is also a favorite option for trekking tourists. You can also reach the top of the temple via a ropeway, from where the view is exhilarating.

The historical beauty of the Chandi Temple is best experienced when you move to the top. With greenery all around, you will surely feel the divine presence all around you. Being one of the oldest and most revered temples of Haridwar, the temple receives a huge footfall throughout the year. The most festive time here is during the festivals of Chandi Chaudas, Navratras, and Kumbh Mela when the temple witnesses wonderful festivities and massive participation. Chandi Mandir is a must-visit during the festival.

History & Significance Of Chandi Devi Temple

The foundation of the Chandi Devi Temple in Haridwar is believed to have been laid by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century and it is believed that the great Hindu priest himself installed the idol of the goddess here. A formal temple was built in the year 1929 by Kashmiri Raja Suchat Singh, after which the temple became very famous as the revered shrine of Chandi Devi.

Legend of Chandi Devi Temple

The presiding deity of Chandi Temple is Goddess Chandi, also known as Goddess Chandrika. The legend says that a long time ago, the demon kings Shuhambha and Nishumbha captured the kingdom of heaven and banished all the deities including the god-king Indra from there. Seeing no way out, all the gods prayed to Goddess Parvati when she took the form of Chandi, an extremely beautiful woman.

Chandi visited the demon kings and Shumbha was mesmerized by her face and decided to marry her. However, Chandi refused him and which enraged Shumbha and he sent Chanda and Munda, the chiefs of the demons, to kill her. Confronted by both, Chandi’s anger gave birth to Chamunda who killed Chanda and Munda. Shumbha and Nishumbha then attempt to kill Chandrika but are killed by the goddess.

After destroying the two demons, Chandrika rested atop Neel Parvat for some time, after which the Chandi temple was built here to mark the legend. The two peaks located in the mountain range are called Shumbha and Nishumbha after the slain demon king.

Architecture and View of Chandi Devi Temple

The beautiful temple atop the hill is a trekker’s delight and you will find visitors climbing up to the temple. If you wish to enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the entire Haridwar city, take a ride on one of the many cable cars that have been installed recently for the convenience of the devotees.

As the car drives towards the temple, you can have a stunning view of the valley below. The architecture of the temple itself epitomizes simplicity and humble behavior. With a flag bearing a simple facade, the Chandi temple attracts lakhs of devotees every year.

Trek to Chandi Devi Temple

Chandi Devi Temple is situated at the foothills of the Himalayas, which makes it an ideal place for trekking. The trek to the temple is about 3 kilometers long and starts from Chandighat. The trek is mildly steep and there are a few obstacles along the way, but the views of the area make it worth a try, with an easy to moderate difficulty level, the trek to Chandi Temple is an unlikely destination even for hikers.

Chandi Devi Temple Ropeway

A convenient way to reach the top of Chandi Devi Temple is through a ropeway ride which is also known as Chandi Devi Udankhatola. It is spread over the mountains for a distance of about 4-5 kilometers and takes you through a beautiful route from where you can witness the beauty of the place firsthand.