Meri Yatra

Temples of India

TRAYAMBAKESHWAR TEMPLE IN RISHIKESH

The famous Trayambakeshwar Temple was founded by Guru Shankaracharya in the 12^thcentury. This temple is located in the heart of the city, at the foothills of the Himalayas in Rishikesh. It is situated on the eastern bank of the Ganges near the famous bridge, Lakshaman Jhula.Trayambakeshwar Temple, popularly known as “Tera Manjila Mandir”(13 storey temple), is a unique landmark in Rishikesh because of its gigantic size, with numerous idols of various gods and goddesses from Hindu Mythology adorning it. This temple is highly revered amongst local pilgrims because it is believed that all the prayers offered in this temple are fulfilled.

                The Sanskrit term “Trayambakeshwar” translated into English implies the abode of the three eyed one or Lord Shiva, who is the presiding deity installed here in form of a magnificent Lingam. This temple is set up against the backdrop of the majesticHimalayas .This is one of the most venerated religious destinations in Rishikesh. Its size is grand while the surroundings (Himalayas, Ganges, and Market) are gorgeous. It is a wonderful piece of architect that just stuns the visitor and only say “Wow!”

                    This temple is thronged by many devotees during Shiv Ratri which is celebrated here with much enthusiasm and vigour.This temple is open to all on all days and at all times. Because of its grand size and beautiful architecture, it looks more like a hotel than a temple. But still, no one can stop himself or herself from self-surrender in front of the lord of the lords Shiva and that too in this majestic temple where all the wishes of the devotee are fulfilled by saying “OM NAMAH SHIVAY”.

SHEESH MAHAL RAM DARBAR MANDIR,HARIDWAR

Temples are widespread in each and every place  of the city of  Haridwar. The temples of Haridwar are highly revered.  Haridwar has many  small and big temples, spread in the mean streets of city. Sheesh Mahal Ram Darbar Temple  is one such temple. This temple has awesome beauty, but very few people know about  this temple because  it is very new and it is still under construction.

As the name indicates, this temple is a palace of made of mirrors  and is devoted to lord Ram. It has the finest mirror work on all its walls and most importantly on all its roofs. The multicoloured mirrors innovation on the walls behind the statues of God and Goddesses is really outstandingly beautiful. The mirrors form the most appropriate scenery suited the statue of the deity standing in front of it, like there is the famous tree of Kadam at the back of  idols of Radha-Krishna.There is a series of statues or smaller temples of various deities like Ganesh ji, Ram-Sita-Lakshamana, Shiva-Parvati, Radha-Krishna, Vaishno Devi Mata( Shera Waali Mata),  Devi Saraswati(with veena in her hands),  Hanumanji and so on.

The Mirror work on the sceneries , which represent the symbolic places of Gods and Goddesses (according to Hindu Mythology) and most importantly on the roofs  is so  natural that there exists indeed a pulling attraction in them because nowhere else there is so special mirror work on the roofs of any building.

Once the building work of this temple is complete, there is no doubt that this temple will be ranking among the most beautiful and charming temples in Haridwar and it will surely become a famous temple.

PAWAN DHAM ,HARIDWAR

Pawan Dham Temple is situated just two km. from Haridwar on Rishikesh Dehradun road, and is only three km. from Har ki Pauri, the greatest attraction of Haridwar.

Pawan Dham, as the name indicates, is holy place of God. It is a branch of Geeta Bhawan Trust Society,Moga in Punjab.This society performs various activities like sant seva,cow seva, providing food for sants and others free of cost and it is running since 1970. Its founder was Swami Vedantanandji. At present, Swami Sahaj Prakash is the president of Pawan Dham.

This beautiful temple has many adorned ornamental idols. The glasswork designed on the temple and on the idols is mind blowing,one can’t escape from being still and speechless and one can only say wow… Its exquisite mirror work is a fun for kids. The parallelly placed mirrors provide infinite pictures of the idol, certain lences  in the temple provide thinner, while others provide shorter pictures of  the visitors. Even the elders enjoy them. Wonderful glass work and aesthetic design carved on the idols of Radha-Krishna,lord Shiva, chariot of Arjun and Krishna, Hanumanji, Ganeshji and so on is more than worth seeing. There is a large and very beautiful idol made of mirror pieces of lord Krishna teaching ‘Geeta Updesh’(about the mortality of body and immortality of soul), inside this temple, which can’t be seen anywhere else.  

   

This frequently visited temple is a must-see for all tourists and it is one of the most ancient temples of Haridwar. Its aesthetic design and glass-work represent rich culture an heritage of india. It instills the visitors with a great sense of gratification.

BHARAT MATA MANDIR,HARIDWAR

Bharat Mata Mandir (meaning mother India) was founded by Swami SatyamitranandGiri on the bank of river Ganges in Haridwar, Uttarakhand in India.This holy shrine was inaugurated by the late Indian Prime Minister, Smt. Indira Gandhi on 15^th May, 1983. The temple has eight floors and is 180 feet tall.

It is one of the most unique places in Haridwar and is a major attraction for the visitors who know about its beauty and theme. It is the only shrine that is dedicated to  our motherland, its unity, integrity, values and rich heritage, without any barriers of caste, creed, race, language, area or states etc. Its purpose  is to alive the feelings of love for mankind and patriotism.

This great temple has eight floors and each floor represents a specific theme. It has the facility of elevator for the visitors to go to the top.

The first floor features the gorgeous  statue of Bharat Mata and hence the temple gets its name. The second storey named ‘Shoor Mandir’ is dedicated to the renowned freedom fighters of India.The third floor or Matru Mandir is dedicated to certain most revered women of India like Mira Bai, Savitri and Maitri. The fourth floor or Sant Mandir, as the name depicts, is dedicated to  saints of various religions like Jainism, Buddhism and Sikkhism. The fifth floor has the Assembly Hall. It has the walls that outpour the symbolic co-existence of all the religious faiths in India and the lively paintings portray the heightened history and beauty in various provinces of India. The sixth floor is dedicated to the various forms of Goddess of Shakti, Maa AmbeGauri. The seventh floor is devoted to the various incarnations of Lord Vishnu. The uppermost eighth floor holds the shrine of Lord Shiva, the supreme God in Hindu tradition.

In addition to visiting all these eight floors, we can go to  terrace of the temple and enjoy the panoramic view of Himalayas, Haridwar and the terrains of Rajaji National Park and the splendour of the entire campus of Sapta Sarovar.

This magnificent temple has manifolded significance and it can be visited all the time one visits Haridwar.

DOODHARI BARFANI MANDIR,HARIDWAR

Doodhadhari Barfani Temple is located in the Doodhaddhari Barfani Ashram. It is one of the most beautiful attractions in Haridwar. This temple is famous not only for its spiritual and aesthetic values, but for its beautiful and magnificent constructive work also.

The whole temple is built using pure, white milky marble. This temple has a rarely found simplicity, elegance and peaceful environment. The main part of this temple houses the idols of Shri Ram and  Sita, which are followed by a chain of smaller temples. These temples are dedicated to the various deities of Hindu mythology. Among all these temples of Gods and Goddesses, Hanuman temple is regared by all as the most beautiful and attractive one. The visitor can’t skip being influenced by the overwhelming originality in these statues. 

TULSI MANAS MANDIR,HARIDWAR

                Tulsi manas Mandir is Loated at the Saptsarover Marg, Bhupatwala, near Pawan Dham(temple most famous for most beautiful mirror work) in the the most sacred pilgrimage place of Hindus, that is Haridwar. This temple occupies a very prominent place on the world of temples not only in Haridwar, but also throughout India. The sculpture work done on its building structure is superb. Its social and spiritual activities are so famous that they make it more than just a temple. It is a holy place which reflects our Indian culture of “Atithi Devo Bhavah” which means that “our guest is like our God”. There are not only prayers thet are offered and religious ceremonies that are performed in this temple, but incredible services to humankind are also offered and this practice makes it a very special one.

                      This temple was founded on 13^th April 1980. At present, the most apprppriate, great hospitality is offered ceremoniously to the saints, guests and the mahatmas in this ashram daily. There are also arrangements provided so that devotees may contribute to help the cause of the poor and bright students, by giving them free education, free education, and free boarding facilities etc. 

DAKSHA MANDIR,KANKHAL

 Daksheshwar Mahadev Temple or Daksha Mahadev Temple is situated in the beautiful town of Kankhal, only four kilometers from Haridwar.The atmosphere is very calm and serene and the Himalayas form a perfect backdrop to the scene.

This temple has been named after king Daksha Prajapati, the father of Sati or Dakshayani- lord Shiva’s wife.It was built by Queen Dhankaur in 1810A.D. and rebuilt in 1962 and is a place of pilgrimage for devotees of lord Shiva or Bholebhandari. Mythologies relate this temple to Daksha yajna, which was so important that it has been mentioned in all our Vedas and Puranas. It has the very same yajnashala has been confirmed.

According to the mythology, King Daksha performed the Yajna(ritual in order to invoke Gods and seek their favour). It is said that the aim of this yajna was not prayers, but to insult lord Shiva.Therefore king Daksha invited all the kings and deities of the world except lord Shiva, who was his son- in-law as well. King’s daughter Sati thought that her father had forgot to invite them, so she came herself and requested her father to invite her husband then. But, Daksha refused to do so. Sati found her husband being spurned by her father and so she  jumped into the fire of yagna-kunda.Lord Shiva was burnt with anger.

There is a pit within the grounds of the temple, which marks the exact location of the sacrificial fire. Therefore, the temple stands as a tribute to the sacrifice of Sati Mata.

This temple has the holy Shiva idol, situated at its centre. This temple is visited by thousands of devotees in the month of August or Sawan, the of Shiva in Hindu calendar.

How to reach Haridwar

Haridwar has good connectivity with other cities of the state of Uttarakhand and outside. 

By Air

Jolly Grant Airport is nearest airport to Haridwar.Taxis are available from Jolly Grant Airport to Haridwar.
Nearest international airport is located in Delhi “Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI)”.

By Train

Haridwar  is connected to all important cities of India.

By Road 

Haridwar is connected by tourist bus services and state owned bus services. Luxury  and normal  bus are available from Delhi ISBT(kashmiri Gate).

How to reach Rishikesh

Rishikesh has good connectivity with other cities of the state of Uttarakhand and outside. 

By Air

Jolly Grant Airport is nearest airport to Rishikesh.Taxis are easily available from Jolly Grant Airport to Rishikesh.
Nearest international airport is located in Delhi “Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI)”, which is 224 km away from Rishikesh . Delhi, the capital city of India, is  well connected to all cites in the country. 

By Train

Rishikesh  is connected to all important cities of India by train.

By Road 

Rishikesh is connected by tourist bus services and state owned bus services.Luxury  and normal  bus are available from Delhi ISBT(kashmiri Gate)

Eating points in Haridwar

Haridwar has many restaurants and eating places. There is a good variety of food available at the restaurants here. Few  of them are : 
Bhagwati's Chhole Bhature, Mohan Puri Wala, Chotiwala Restaurant, Aahaar Restaurant, Motel Rahi's Restaurant.

Eating points in Rishikesh 

Rishikesh has many restaurants and eating places. There is a good variety of food available at the restaurants here.Few  of them are : 
Chotiwala,Oasis Restaurant,Midway Restaurant,Maa Cozy,Ganga Beach Restaurant,Madras cafe,Tulsi  Restaurant,Lucky Restaurant, Flavors Restaurant.

Hotels In Haridwar

Haridwar has many good hotels.
Few of them are : Hotel Midtown,Hotel La Casa,Gardenia  Hotel,Hotel Hari Heritage, Hotel LG Residency, Sugandha Delux, Hotel Landmark.

Hotels In Rishikesh 

Rishikesh has many good hotels.
Few of them are :

RISHABH GRAND CASTLE RESORT, Hotel Nirvana Palace, Laxman Jhula Divine Resorts, Pure Inn.