Chandi Devi Templeचंडी देवी मंदिर

About Chandi Devi Temple

The Chandi Devi Temple sits on top of Neel Parvat, the eastern summit of the Shivalik hills, overlooking the holy city of Haridwar in Uttarakhand. The goddess Chandi, a fierce form of Durga, is worshipped here. It is one of the three Siddh Peethas of Haridwar, along with the Mansa Devi and Maya Devi temples, places where devotees believe sincere wishes are fulfilled. It is also counted among the five sacred spots (Panch Tirth) of Haridwar, under the name Neel Parvat Teerth. Pilgrims often visit Chandi Devi and Mansa Devi, which stands on the opposite hill, on the same day.

According to the Skanda Purana, the goddess Chandi slew Chanda and Munda, the commanders of the demon kings Shumbha and Nishumbha, at this place, and after the battle she rested for a while on Neel Parvat. Two peaks in the range are named Shumbha and Nishumbha after the demon brothers. Tradition holds that Adi Shankaracharya installed the main image of the goddess in the 8th century. The present temple was built in 1929 by Suchat Singh, then ruler of Kashmir. A local story also says that the Mughal emperor Akbar granted land to the temple after a failed attempt to remove the idol.

The temple is a compact hilltop shrine with the image of the goddess in its sanctum and a small courtyard where pilgrims gather for darshan. Visitors reach it either by a trek of about 3 km from Chandighat, with long flights of steps through the forest, or by the Chandi Devi Udankhatola ropeway, which runs from a station near the Gauri Shankar temple on the Nazibabad road. The ride offers fine views of the Ganga and Haridwar. Close to the main shrine is a temple of Anjana, the mother of Hanuman, and the Neeleshwar temple stands at the foot of the hill.

Chandi Devi Temple timings & aarti

Usually open from about 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Times may vary; check locally before visiting.

Timings change on festivals, eclipses and special days. Please confirm locally before you travel.

How to reach Chandi Devi Temple

Festivals at Chandi Devi Temple

• Chaitra NavratriMar/Apr
• Sharad NavratriSep/Oct
• Chandi ChaudasCheck locally
• Kumbh Mela (Haridwar)Every 12 years; check dates

Visitor tips

Dress code

Modest, traditional clothing is recommended. Leather items, non-vegetarian food and alcohol are not allowed on the premises.

Entry

Free to the temple. The Udankhatola ropeway is ticketed.

• The ropeway queue can be long on weekends and festival days; go early or buy a combined ticket with Mansa Devi if offered.
• If you trek, carry water and start before the day gets hot.
• Watch out for monkeys on the path and at the temple; keep food and bags closed.
• Do not carry leather items to the shrine.

Places to visit near Chandi Devi Temple

• Anjana Devi TempleShrine of Hanuman's mother, very close to the main temple
• Mansa Devi TempleSiddh Peetha on Bilwa Parvat across the Ganga, reachable by ropeway
• Har Ki PauriMain ghat of Haridwar with the famous Ganga aarti, about 4 km away
• Neeleshwar TempleShiva temple at the foot of Neel Parvat

Frequently asked questions