Bharat Mata Mandir (Mother India Temple)
Haridwar, Uttarakhand · temple
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
Bharat Mata Mandir — the Mother India Temple — is one of Haridwar's most unusual devotional landmarks: an eight-storey temple-tower rising roughly 180 feet (about 55 metres) beside the tranquil Sapt Sarovar reach of the Ganga, in the Bhupatwala–Motichur belt a few kilometres upstream of Har Ki Pauri. It was conceived by Swami Satyamitranand Giri, founder of the Samanvay Parivar, and inaugurated in 1983. Rather than housing a single presiding deity, the temple stacks a themed shrine on each floor, so that a visit becomes a slow vertical pilgrimage through India's spiritual and civilisational memory — devotion, valour, womanhood, sainthood and the divine feminine, all under one soaring roof. A lift carries pilgrims and elderly visitors between levels, an accessibility touch that sets it apart from Haridwar's older riverside shrines.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Bhupatwala ashram-belt satvik bhojanalayas – simple pure-veg thalis and puri-sabzi along Sapt Sarovar Road; many are no-onion-no-garlic. Hours can be limited to meal times, so check on arrival.
- ✦Pure-veg dhabas near Sapt Rishi Ashram – basic Garhwali-plains thali fare for pilgrims; entirely vegetarian, but standards vary, so pick a busy, clean-looking one.
- ✦Vegetarian sweet and snack stalls toward Har Ki Pauri – kachori, samosa, jalebi and mithai in Haridwar's all-veg bazaar; a dependable stop on the way back.
- ✦Long-standing pure-veg thali houses in the Haridwar–Bhupatwala area – reliable South Indian and North Indian vegetarian fare; confirm the specific outlet on arrival, as names and standards vary.
About
Bharat Mata Mandir — the Mother India Temple — is one of Haridwar's most unusual devotional landmarks: an eight-storey temple-tower rising roughly 180 feet (about 55 metres) beside the tranquil Sapt Sarovar reach of the Ganga, in the Bhupatwala–Motichur belt a few kilometres upstream of Har Ki Pauri.
- It was conceived by Swami Satyamitranand Giri, founder of the Samanvay Parivar, and inaugurated in 1983.
- Rather than housing a single presiding deity, the temple stacks a themed shrine on each floor, so that a visit becomes a slow vertical pilgrimage through India's spiritual and civilisational memory — devotion, valour, womanhood, sainthood and the divine feminine, all under one soaring roof.
- A lift carries pilgrims and elderly visitors between levels, an accessibility touch that sets it apart from Haridwar's older riverside shrines.
- The ground floor centres on the figure of Bharat Mata (Mother India) with a relief map of the subcontinent, framing the whole building as a hymn to national unity.
- Ascending, the Shoor Mandir honours heroes and defenders; the Matru Mandir celebrates revered women such as Rani Lakshmibai and Mira Bai; the Sant Mandir gathers saints of the Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist and Jain traditions in a spirit of samanvay (harmony); a history hall carries murals; and the upper floors hold the Shakti Mandir (goddess incarnations including Durga and Kali) and a Vishnu Mandir dedicated to the preserver and his avatars.
- The topmost level opens to a viewing gallery with panoramas over Sapt Sarovar, the forested Rajaji foothills and, on clear mornings, the distant Himalaya.
- Haridwar is a Saptapuri pilgrimage city that is strictly vegetarian and alcohol-free by long custom, so the whole neighbourhood eats pure-veg.
- No food is sold inside the temple, but the Bhupatwala ashram belt and the road back toward Har Ki Pauri are lined with satvik bhojanalayas and thali houses, several of them no-onion-no-garlic.
- Combine the climb with the nearby Sapt Rishi Ashram and a riverside stroll for a calm half-morning away from the main ghat crowds.
- Remove footwear before entering the shrine floors, dress modestly, and confirm the current timings at the gate, as they shift seasonally.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Samanvaya Kutir, Sapt Sarovar Road, Bhupatwala, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, 249410
How to Reach: On Sapt Sarovar Road in the Bhupatwala–Motichur belt, about 5 km upstream of Har Ki Pauri. From Har Ki Pauri or Haridwar Junction railway station (about 6 km), a shared vikram (tempo), auto-rickshaw or e-rickshaw costs roughly ₹30–150 depending on shared or private hire (15–20 minutes). Jolly Grant (Dehradun) airport is about 35 km. Best combined with the nearby Sapt Rishi Ashram.
More places in Haridwar
- Har Ki Pauri (Brahma Kund)Haridwar's holiest ghat, where the Ganga leaves the Himalayas for the plains — and Brahma Kund, the spot the evening Ganga Aarti has honoured for over a century.
- Mansa Devi Temple (Bilwa Parvat)Hilltop Siddh Peeth to the wish-granting goddess Mansa atop Bilwa Parvat — one of Haridwar's Panch Tirth, reached by ropeway or a short forested trek.
- Chandi Devi Temple (Neel Parvat)A hilltop Shakti shrine to Goddess Chandi crowning Neel Parvat above Har Ki Pauri — one of Haridwar's Panch Tirth, reached by a five-minute ropeway or an hour-long trek.
- Ganga Aarti at Har Ki PauriHaridwar's world-famous nightly Ganga Aarti at Brahma Kund — a river of lamp-lit diyas, ringing bells and conch calls, held here since 1916.
- Maya Devi Temple (Shakti Peeth)One of Haridwar's oldest intact temples (c. 11th century) and a revered Shakti Peeth — home to Maya Devi, the tutelary goddess after whom the city was once named Mayapuri.
- Daksheshwar Mahadev TempleThe Daksha-yagna site at Kankhal where Sati self-immolated and Shiva's Veerbhadra destroyed the sacrifice — a major Shiva pilgrimage thronged on Mahashivratri.
- Kushavart Ghat, KankhalAn ancient, contemplative bathing ghat in Kankhal — one of Haridwar's Panch Tirth and its foremost site for pind-daan and shraddh rites for departed ancestors.
- Sati Kund, KankhalA small, walled sacred pond in Kankhal revered as the yajna-pit where Sati immolated herself — a quiet node of the Daksha-yagna legend beside Daksheshwar Mahadev.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the timings of Bharat Mata Mandir in Haridwar?
The temple is generally reported open from around 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily, though some sources cite wider hours of 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Timings shift with the season and festival calendar, so it is best to confirm the current schedule at the gate before you climb.
Is there an entry fee for Bharat Mata Mandir?
No, entry is free. It is an open, welcoming temple built by the Samanvay Parivar, and there is no admission ticket. A lift serves the upper floors at no charge, though a small voluntary donation toward upkeep is always appreciated.
How many floors does Bharat Mata Mandir have and what is on each?
It is an eight-storey tower rising about 180 feet. The floors are themed rather than centred on one deity: the Bharat Mata (Mother India) level with a relief map of the subcontinent, a Shoor Mandir for heroes, a Matru Mandir for revered women, a Sant Mandir for saints of several faiths, a history hall with murals, a Shakti Mandir for goddess forms, a Vishnu Mandir, and a top viewing gallery. A lift connects the levels.
How do I reach Bharat Mata Mandir from Har Ki Pauri?
The temple sits on Sapt Sarovar Road in the Bhupatwala–Motichur belt, about 5 km upstream of Har Ki Pauri. A shared vikram (tempo), auto-rickshaw or e-rickshaw takes 15–20 minutes and costs roughly ₹30–150 depending on whether you share or hire privately. Haridwar Junction railway station is about 6 km away, and it pairs well with the nearby Sapt Rishi Ashram.
What can I see from the top of Bharat Mata Mandir?
The topmost level has a viewing gallery that looks out over the Sapt Sarovar stretch of the Ganga, the forested Rajaji foothills and, on clear October-to-March mornings, the distant snow line of the Himalaya. It is one of the best elevated panoramas in the Haridwar area and a fine photography spot.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near Bharat Mata Mandir?
Haridwar is a strictly vegetarian, alcohol-free pilgrimage city, so the whole area is pure-veg. No food is sold inside the temple, but the Bhupatwala ashram belt along Sapt Sarovar Road has satvik bhojanalayas and thali houses, several of them no-onion-no-garlic, plus pure-veg snack and sweet stalls on the way back toward Har Ki Pauri. Standards vary, so choose a clean, busy outlet.