Narayani Shila Temple (Pind-Daan Vishnu Shrine)
Haridwar, Uttarakhand · temple
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
Narayani Shila is one of Haridwar's oldest and most quietly powerful temples — a shrine to Lord Vishnu in the Devpura neighbourhood, a short walk from Ganesh Ghat and the railway station. Its name joins Narayan (Vishnu) with shila (sacred stone), for the temple's presiding object of worship is a half-shila, a stone bearing the imprint of the deity, enshrined alongside a Vishnu murti. Believed by devotees to be well over a thousand years old, the shrine is revered as the 'Gaya of the north' — placed on the same devotional footing as Gaya in Bihar as a tirtha (sacred crossing-place) for rites honouring the dead.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Pure-veg bhojanalayas and thali houses around Devpura and Upper Road — satvik thalis, kachori-sabzi and puri-aloo; the entire neighbourhood is vegetarian (confirm the specific outlet on arrival).
- ✦Mohan Ji Puri Wale (Bara Bazaar area) — long-running pure-veg spot known for puri-sabzi and jalebi; a short rickshaw ride toward Har Ki Pauri.
- ✦Local mithai and prasad shops near Ganesh Ghat — pedas, laddoos and boondi for offerings and a quick vegetarian bite.
- ✦Simple pure-veg dhabas near Haridwar Junction — dependable vegetarian thalis for travellers arriving or leaving by train (verify the current outlet on arrival).
About
Narayani Shila is one of Haridwar's oldest and most quietly powerful temples — a shrine to Lord Vishnu in the Devpura neighbourhood, a short walk from Ganesh Ghat and the railway station.
- Its name joins Narayan (Vishnu) with shila (sacred stone), for the temple's presiding object of worship is a half-shila, a stone bearing the imprint of the deity, enshrined alongside a Vishnu murti.
- Believed by devotees to be well over a thousand years old, the shrine is revered as the 'Gaya of the north' — placed on the same devotional footing as Gaya in Bihar as a tirtha (sacred crossing-place) for rites honouring the dead.
- The temple's significance is rooted in the Skanda Purana.
- According to the legend, when Vishnu subdued the asura Gayasura, the demon's body was divided into three parts; the middle portion is said to have fallen at this spot in Haridwar, which Vishnu then blessed as an eternally holy ground where humans could perform Shradh for their ancestors.
- For this reason Narayani Shila is among the foremost places in North India for Pind-Daan (the offering of rice-flour balls, pinda, to departed souls) and Pitru-Tarpan (water-libations to the ancestors).
- Families come especially to seek relief from Pitru Dosh — an astrological affliction attributed to unsettled ancestral karma — and to help the departed attain moksha (liberation).
- Around the shrine you will notice countless small mounds of offered rice and flowers, each shaped by a grieving family; the atmosphere is solemn and devotional rather than festive.
- Rituals here are conducted with the help of resident pandits (priests), and the peak season is the fortnight of Pitru Paksha (September–October), when the courtyard fills with families performing shraddha.
- Entry to the temple itself is free; the ceremonies are arranged privately with priests, so agree on any dakshina (offering) in advance and confirm details locally.
- For all visitors regardless of faith, the shrine is open to respectful observation: remove your shoes, dress modestly, and keep quiet around families in the middle of their rites — this is a place of mourning as much as of worship.
- Because Haridwar is a strictly vegetarian and alcohol-free city, the entire neighbourhood around the temple is pure-vegetarian, and pilgrims will find satvik thalis, kachori-sabzi, and mithai within easy walking distance.
- A visit pairs naturally with Har Ki Pauri and the old-town temples for a fuller understanding of Haridwar's role as a Ganga pilgrimage city and a threshold between the living and their ancestors.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Devpura, opposite the Fire Brigade, near Ganesh Ghat, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, 249401
How to Reach: Devpura, near Ganesh Ghat, Haridwar. It lies about 1 km from Haridwar Junction railway station — a cycle-rickshaw or e-rickshaw costs roughly ₹30–60 (5–10 minutes), or it is a 12–15 minute walk. From Har Ki Pauri it is around 1.5 km; e-rickshaws run frequently along the main road. Haridwar is well connected by train and bus from Delhi, Dehradun and Rishikesh.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Narayani Shila Temple in Haridwar known for?
It is an ancient Vishnu shrine revered as the 'Gaya of the north' — one of North India's foremost places for Pind-Daan and Pitru-Tarpan, the rites performed for the peace and liberation (moksha) of departed ancestors. Devotees also visit to seek relief from Pitru Dosh. Its object of worship is a sacred half-shila bearing Vishnu's imprint, enshrined with a Vishnu murti.
Is there an entry fee for Narayani Shila Temple?
No, entry to the temple is free and it is open to everyone regardless of faith. The Pind-Daan and shraddha ceremonies, however, are arranged privately with the resident pandits (priests), so it is best to agree on any dakshina (offering) in advance and confirm the details locally.
What are the timings of Narayani Shila Temple?
The shrine is generally open from around 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily, with priests conducting rites through the day. Timings can vary, especially during the Pitru Paksha fortnight, so it is wise to confirm locally before planning your rituals.
How do I reach Narayani Shila Temple in Haridwar?
The temple is in Devpura, near Ganesh Ghat, about 1 km from Haridwar Junction railway station — a 12–15 minute walk or a short cycle-/e-rickshaw ride of roughly ₹30–60. From Har Ki Pauri it is about 1.5 km, with e-rickshaws running frequently along the main road. Haridwar is well connected by train and bus from Delhi, Dehradun and Rishikesh.
When is the best time to visit for Pind-Daan?
The Pitru Paksha fortnight (September–October) is the most significant period, when families gather to perform shraddha for their ancestors; expect the temple to be busy then. Amavasya (new-moon) days are also considered auspicious, and early mornings are the calmest. For comfortable weather generally, October to March is ideal. Remember this is a place of mourning as well as worship — dress modestly, remove your shoes, and observe quietly.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near Narayani Shila Temple?
The whole neighbourhood is pure-vegetarian, as Haridwar is a strictly vegetarian and alcohol-free city. Around Devpura and Upper Road you will find satvik thalis, kachori-sabzi and puri-aloo at simple bhojanalayas, mithai and prasad shops near Ganesh Ghat, and dependable vegetarian dhabas near Haridwar Junction. Confirm the specific outlet locally, as names change over time.
What is the legend behind Narayani Shila?
According to the Skanda Purana, when Lord Vishnu subdued the asura Gayasura, the demon's body split into three parts, and the middle portion is said to have fallen at this spot in Haridwar. Vishnu then blessed the ground as an eternally holy tirtha where people could perform Shradh for their ancestors — which is why the shrine is placed on the same devotional footing as Gaya and is central to ancestral rites.