Bharat Mata Temple, Haridwar

When it comes to temples in Haridwar, there is no dearth of them. Dedicated to a range of different gods and goddesses, Haridwar can be defined as a true piece of paradise residing next to the holy Ganga. One such iconic temple that draws a massive footfall of devotees is the ‘Bharat Mata Temple’ or the ‘Mother India Temple’. As the name suggests this is one of the rare temples in India which is dedicated to the goddess Bharat Mata. Inviting devotees, patriots and anyone looking to learn more about the rich history of India can make a visit to this temple and increase their knowledge about our beautiful nation.

About Bharat Mata Temple

Situated just 5 kms away from Haridwar railway station Bharat Mata temple is an iconic religious shrine that is dedicated to Bharat Mata. Considered one of the most visited temples in Haridwar, this temple was built in 1983 by Swami Vishwa Hindu Parishad. The temple is known for its astounding eight floors which are one of a kind and truly impressive. The main deity in the temple is dedicated to the embodiment of the motherland or Bharat Mata. It signifies unity, integrity, values, and a rich heritage that our beautiful country is blessed with.

History

The temple was opened to the public in 1983 after being inaugurated by the then-prime minister, Indira Gandhi. The concept of Bharat Mata predates independence and the partition of India. She was built with the intention of representing Aryavarta or the motherland of Hinduism in Hindu nationalism which is not merely restricted to the secular republic of India. Other than the one in Haridwar there is another Bharat Mata Temple that was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1936. Abanindranath Tagore has portrayed Bharat Mata in the form of a 4 armed goddess wearing saffron clothes, while holding a book, rice, mala and a white cloth in each arm.

Architecture

The entire Bharat Mata Temple is divided into 8 different stories with every floor being dedicated to a different god or goddess. The main shrine is home to not just the place where the Bharat Mata deity is kept but also holds a large map of India carved out without any borders. It just contains a relief feature of the entire subcontinent which is a treat to look at. Here are what every floor of the Bharat Mata Temple contains:
1st floor – dedicated to Bharat Mata deity and the map.
2nd floor – this floor is known as Shoor Mandir which is dedicated to the various Indian heroes and freedom fighters.
3rd floor – this is the floor called the Matru Mandir that is completely dedicated to the women of India who have a revolutionary impact in the country.
4th floor – this floor is dedicated to the different saints of different religions in India and is known as the Sant floor.
5th floor – this floor is in the form of a huge assembly hall that contains various paintings dedicated to different religious leaders across India.
6th floor – this is the floor that is dedicated to goddess Shakti and features various forms of Shakti.
7th floor – this floor features the incarnation of the Hindu god Lord Vishnu.
8th floor – the final floor here is dedicated to Lord Shiva who is considered as the supreme god of the universe.

Temple Timing

The temple remains open for visits throughout the week from 5 am to 9 pm.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Bharat Mata Temple in Haridwar is anytime throughout the year. The weather remains favourable and comfortable for visitors anytime in the year. It would be best for you to visit it during the summer months and not during the monsoon season. The region remains prone to landslide situations and random floodings etc. making it extremely difficult to commute, travel or even get around.

How to Reach

The Bharat Mata Temple is located at the motichur region on the banks of the holy Ganga River. The temple is easily reachable by car or bus service. The nearest railway station to the temple is 7 kms away in Haridwar railway station. One can easily reach the temple as it is a very famous one in not just Haridwar but it is also in Rishikesh.

Travel Tips

Make sure to travel to the temple when you have a lot of time in the day as the visit to the temple has a lot of floors to be explored.
Being located close to the river, you can stay here throughout the day and attend the Ganga Aarti in the evening.
Make sure to check out the weather conditions prior to your visit in order to make the most out of your visit.
Being a holy place of worship, be sure to dress up appropriately in order to not offend the religious sentiments of the locals.