Maya Devi Temple in Haridwar is dedicated to Goddess Maya. A treasured masterpiece of Uttarakhand, Maya Devi Temple is referred to as a Shakti Peetha. The heart and navel of the goddess is believed to have fallen in this region when Lord Vishnu cut the body of Sati into pieces by his Sudarshana Chakra or disk. The temple adorned with its religious myths and fables of bygone eras is held in high adoration by the pilgrims visiting the temple from diverse situates.
Architecture of Maya Devi Temple
The ancient Maya Devi Temple was constructed in the eleventh century. The temple accompanied by two other, Narayana-shila Temple and Bhairava Temple have stood against the ravages of time and eventually developed as a centre of great veneration and admiration. The garbhagriha of the temple enshrines the idols of goddesses Maya installed in the central position, Goddess Kali on the left side and goddess Kamakhya on the right side. Goddess Maya is revered as the Adhisthatri deity of Haridwar, the city being earlier known as Mayapuri. Besides these, the temple also houses two other goddesses, deemed to be forms of Shakti in its sanctum sanctorum. It is believed by the devotees that the goddess fulfils their desires when prayed with love and devotion. The temple is thus, thought to be one of the three Siddh Peethas, the two other being Mansa Devi Temple and Chandi Devi Temple.
Maya Devi Temple celebrates the festival of Navratri and the Kumbha Mela on a grand scale during which the decked beautifully temple is visited by thousands of pilgrims. The temple is well connected by different modes of transport. It is located on the eastern side of Har ki Pauri. It is easily accessible by auto rickshaws as well as busses.
