BHARAT MATA TEMPLE, HARIDWAR

A paradise for nature lovers, Haridwar presents a kaleidoscope of Indian culture and civilization.Haridwar’s importance as a scared city is derived from its position and the supposed spiritual purity of its water, which is carried by the pilgrims to every corner of the Subcontinent for the use of purification ceremonies.

 According to Hindu Mythology, Haridwar is considered as one of the seven holiest places of our country, and one more reason which makes this place unique in itself, is situated in - Sapt Sarovar near Ashram at Haridwar i.e. Bharat Mata Temple.

The Temple is a holy place of its own kind. Actually, the Bharat Mata is the representation of India in the form of a Mother Goddess. She is usually depicted as a woman clad in a Saffron sari holding a flag and sometimes accompanied by a Lion. The image of the Bharat Mata formed with the Indian Independence movement of the late 19thcentury.

The Temple was founded by Swami Satyamitranand Giri, on the banks of the Ganga in Haridwar. It was inaugurated by Indira Gandhi; the former prime minister of India, in 1983.The Temple represents a spiritual essence, a transcendental idea of universe as well as expressing universal Hinduism and Nationhood.

The image of Bharat Mata was an icon to create nationalist feeling in Indians during the freedom struggle Bharat Mata standing on green earth and blue sky behind her, feet with four lotuses, four arms meaning -divine power, white halo and sincere eyes; and gifts Shiksha,Diksha,Anna,Vastra of motherland to her children.

As the conception of Bharat Mata predates the partition of India, she is intended to represent “Aryavarta”, the motherland of Hinduism in Hindu Nationalism, not merely restricted to the Secular Republic of India, and Bharat Mata remains a symbol of the “Vision of a unified Motherland” in Hindu nationalist Indian land

The eight- storied Temple is tall to the approximately height of 180ft.Elevators are installed in the Temple to aid the pilgrims. Each floors of the Temple are dedicated to Mythological legends, Religious Deities, Freedom Fighters and Leaders.

Ø The first floor- salutes all the brave sons and daughter of Mother India, who sacrificed their lives to maintain and enhance her honour. A statue of the mother herself stands amidst all these gallant personalities, which include- Subhash Chandra Bose, Veer Savarkar, Mahatma Gandhi, Chatrapati Shivaji, Guru Gobind singh, Rani of Jhansi and more. 

Ø The second floor “Shoor Mandir” is dedicated to the glory of Indian woman and the holy wedlock of India. 

Ø The third floor “Matru Mandir” of the Bharat Mata Mandir in Haridwar- celebrates the achievements of honored women like – Meera Bai, Savitri and Matiri etc. 

Ø While, the fourth floor “Sant Mandir “showcases the features of great saints from different religions of India. And uphold the Indian philosophy and the concept of Sainthood. 

Ø The assembly hall with walls depicting symbolic co-existence of all religions practiced in India and paintings portraying history and beauty in various provinces of India are situated on the fifth floor. 

Ø The various forms of the Goddess of Shakti can be seen on the sixth floor in different forms like-Durga, Parvati, Sati, Radha, Saraswati, Kali etc. 

Ø The seventh floor is devoted to all the incarnations of Lord Vishnu, the preserver form of the holy Hindu Trinity. 

Ø The eighth floor holds the shrine of Lord Shiva from which devotees can gain a panoramic view of Himalayas, Haridwar and the splendor of the entire campus of Sapta Sarovar.

One can easily reach Bharat Mata Temple by taking local Buses, Tongas, Rickshaws or by hiring Taxis from Haridwar. As well as Haridwar junction Railway Station is well connected by trains, located on the south side of town, within walking distance to most hotels. 

The depiction of India as a Hindu Goddess implies that it is not just the Patriotic but, also the religious duty of all Indians to participate in the Nationalist struggle to defend the Nation. The motto “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” (Victory for Mother India) is used by various Hindu Organizations and by the Indian Army. It is a kind reverence to all those, who played a vital role in the formation of the country. Thus, the vast spectrum of India is reflected in the various modes, which the Haridwar- Bharat Mata Temple projects.