Maya Devi Temple, Haridwar

Maya Devi Temple is an important Shakti Shrine in Haridwar. The temple is dedicated to Mother Goddess Shakti. The temple is located to the east of Har ki Pauri and Navratri during Chaitra and Ashwin attracts thousands of devotees. The 11^th century temple has murtis of Goddess Maya, Goddess Kali and Goddess Kamakhya.

Importance of Maya Devi Temple to Haridwar

The popular belief is that worship at the temple helps in fulfillment of desires.

Haridwar was earlier known as Mayapuri and the deity at the temple is the Adhisthatri God of Haridwar.

Legend of the Temple

Another legend associated with temple states that the navel of Goddess Sati fell here (some believe it is the heart) when She was carried around the earth by Shiva after Her death. At the Daksha Yajna, Sati jumped into the fire and self immolated as she could not listen to the insults hurled at her husband, Shiva, by her father Daksha.

An angry Shiva roamed around the universe with the body of Goddess Sati. There was total imbalance in the universe. Creation came into a standstill. To rescue the world and to pacify Shiva, Lord Vishnu cut the body of Sati into 51 pieces using his Sudarhana Chakra.

Thus it is believed that navel of Goddess Sati fell at the spot where the Maya Devi Temple is located.

Maya Devi Temple

The shrine is small and follows the typical North Indian Hindu temple architectural style.

The sanctum sanctorum of the shrine has the murti of Goddess Maya Devi. She is flanked by Goddess Kali, Tara and Kamakhya. There is also a murti of Lord Chamunda made from metal in the sanctum.

The important subsidiary temple in the small complex is dedicated to Goddess Sheetala Devi.