Bharat Mata Mandir is a Hindu temple dedicated to Bharat Mata, or Mother India, in Haridwar, a holy city in Uttarakhand. The temple is a multi-storeyed building with eight floors, each representing a different aspect of Indian culture, history and spirituality.
Bharat Mata Mandir was founded by Swami Satyamitranand Giri and inaugurated by Late Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi on 15th May 1983. The temple is a symbol of national unity and patriotism, and a tribute to all the patriots and freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the country. One day Haridwar and Rishikesh Local Sightseeing by Private cab.
Location of Bharat Mata Mandir
Bharat Mata Mandir is located in Sapt Sarovar near ashram at Haridwar, about 4 km from Har Ki Pauri, the main ghat on the banks of the Ganga. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, about 41 km away. The temple can be reached by road or by ropeway from various parts of Haridwar.
Timing / Entry Fees of Bharat Mata Mandir
Bharat Mata Mandir is open from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm every day. There is no entry fee for visiting the temple or offering prayers to Bharat Mata. However, there may be charges for some services or facilities such as lockers, changing rooms, prasad (sacred food), etc. The best time to visit the temple is during the morning or evening hours, when the weather is pleasant and the atmosphere is patriotic.
How to Reach at Bharat Mata Mandir
Bharat Mata Mandir can be easily reached by various modes of transport from different parts of Haridwar and nearby cities. Some of the options are:
- By Bus: There are frequent buses that ply between Haridwar bus stand and Bharat Mata Temple. The bus fare is nominal and the journey takes about 20 minutes.
- By Auto-Rickshaw: Auto-rickshaws are another convenient and affordable way to reach Bharat Mata Mandir from anywhere in Haridwar. The fare depends on the distance and bargaining skills of the passenger.
- By Cycle-Rickshaw: Cycle-rickshaws are also available for short distances within Haridwar. They are eco-friendly and cheap, but may take longer time than other modes.
- By Taxi: Taxis can be hired from Haridwar railway station, bus stand or airport to reach Bharat Mata Temple. They are comfortable and fast, but may charge higher than other modes.
- By Ropeway: One can also take a ropeway ride from Mansa Devi Temple or Upper Road to reach Bharat Mata Mandir. The ropeway service known as “Bharat Mata Udankhatola” was introduced for the benefit of the pilgrims and tourists who want to avoid the traffic congestion on the road. The ropeway ride offers a scenic view of the river Ganga and the city of Haridwar. The ropeway fare is INR 100- INR 333 per person depending on the package.
Things to Do / Must See at Bharat Mata Mandir
Bharat Mata Mandir offers a range of activities and attractions for visitors of all ages and interests. Some of the things to do and must see at Bharat Mata Mandir are:
- Offer Prayers to Bharat Mata: Offering prayers to Bharat Mata is the main purpose of visiting the temple for most devotees. Bharat Mata is the representation of India in the form of a mother goddess, who is holding a milk pot in one hand and stack of grain in the other hand. This image of Bharat Mata signifies the nurture and prosperity granted by her to her children. The devotees offer coconuts, fruits, flowers and incense sticks to Bharat Mata as a mark of respect.
- Explore the Eight Floors of the Temple: Exploring the eight floors of the temple is another way of learning about the diverse aspects of Indian culture, history and spirituality. Each floor has a different theme and displays various figures, paintings, maps and models related to that theme. The themes are as follows:
- First Floor: This floor is dedicated to Bharat Mata (Mother India) and has a statue of Bharat Mata along with a huge map of India on a raised platform. It also has a big picture of Indira Gandhi, inaugurating the temple.
- Second Floor: This floor is named as ‘Shoor Mandir’ (Temple of Heroes) and is dedicated to the renowned Indian heroes from different fields such as freedom fighters, soldiers, leaders, scientists, sportsmen, etc. It also has a statue of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation.
- Third Floor: This floor is known as ‘Matru Mandir’ (Temple of Mothers) and is dedicated to the admiring women of Indian history such as Meera Bai, Savitri, Maitreyi, etc. It also has a statue of Mother Teresa, the Nobel laureate and the saint of the poor.
- Fourth Floor: This floor is called as ‘Sant Mandir’ (Temple of Saints) and features great saints from different religions of India such as Guru Nanak, Kabir, Sai Baba, Swami Vivekananda, etc. It also has a statue of Swami Satyamitranand Giri, the founder of the temple.
- Fifth Floor: This floor has an assembly hall, where all the practicing religions in India are represented in a harmonious manner on the walls. It also reveals the historical facts and paintings showcasing the natural beauty of India.
- Sixth Floor: This floor is dedicated to Goddess Shakti, the divine feminine power in Hinduism. It features different forms of Goddess Shakti such as Durga, Parvati, Sati, Radha, Saraswati, Kali, etc.
- Seventh Floor: This floor is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the preserver and protector of the universe in Hinduism. It features all the incarnations and forms of Lord Vishnu such as Ram, Krishna, Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, etc.
- Eighth Floor: This floor is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the destroyer and transformer of the universe in Hinduism. It has a shrine of Lord Shiva along with a splendid view of the Himalayas and the whole complex of Sapt Sarovar.
- Visit the Nearby Attractions: Visiting the nearby attractions is another option for the visitors who want to explore more of Haridwar. Some of the nearby attractions are:
- Mansa Devi Temple: Mansa Devi Temple is another Siddh Peetha in Haridwar, dedicated to Goddess Mansa Devi, a form of Shakti. The temple is located on the Bilwa Parvat on the opposite side of Chandi Devi Temple. The temple can be reached by road or by ropeway from Bharat Mata Temple. The temple is famous for its wish-fulfilling powers and its scenic location.
- Chandi Devi Temple: Chandi Devi Temple is another Siddh Peetha in Haridwar, dedicated to Goddess Chandi Devi, a form of Shakti. The temple is located on the Neel Parvat on the opposite side of Mansa Devi Temple. The temple can be reached by road or by ropeway from Bharat Mata Mandir. The temple is famous for its miraculous powers and its scenic location .
- Maya Devi Temple: Maya Devi Temple is another Siddh Peetha in Haridwar, dedicated to Goddess Maya Devi, a form of Shakti. The temple is located on the Birla Ghat on the banks of the Ganga. The temple is one of the oldest temples in Haridwar, dating back to the 11th century. The temple is also one of the Shakti Peethas, where the heart and navel of Goddess Sati fell after her self-immolation. The temple has idols of Goddess Maya Devi, Goddess Kali and Goddess Kamakhya.
- Har Ki Pauri: Har Ki Pauri is a famous ghat on the banks of the Ganga in Haridwar, where thousands of pilgrims and tourists gather to take a dip in
- A camera or a smartphone to capture the scenic beauty and the memorable moments.
- A water bottle and some snacks to stay hydrated and energized.
- A scarf or a shawl to cover the head and shoulders as a mark of respect for Bharat Mata.
- Some money to buy prasad, souvenirs, or donate to the temple.
Conclusion
Bharat Mata Temple is a unique temple of Mother India in Haridwar, where one can experience the essence of India and its culture, history and spirituality. It is a place where patriotism, harmony and peace prevail, and where all the patriots and freedom fighters are honored and remembered. Whether one wants to offer prayers to Bharat Mata, explore the eight floors of the temple, or visit the nearby attractions, Bharat Mata Temple has something for everyone. It is a place that can inspire, enlighten and transform anyone who visits it. Bharat Mata Temple is not just a temple, but a pride of India.
