Pawan Dham (Glass Temple)
Haridwar, Uttarakhand · temple
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
Pawan Dham, popularly known as the Kanch ka Mandir or Glass Temple, is one of Haridwar's most photographed modern devotional landmarks, set on Sapt Sarovar Road in the Bhupatwala area a little north of Har Ki Pauri. Founded by the ashram of Swami Vedantanand Ji Maharaj, the temple is celebrated less for antiquity than for craft: nearly every interior surface — walls, pillars, ceilings and shrine niches — is sheathed in intricate mirror-work, coloured glass and mosaic, so that lamplight and daylight fracture into a shimmering, kaleidoscopic glow. The effect recalls the sheesh mahal (mirror-palace) tradition adapted to a purely devotional setting, and it is this dazzling glasswork that gives the temple its everyday name.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Bhupatwala and Sapt Sarovar road-side bhojanalayas (near the temple) - simple pure-vegetarian thalis, many satvik and no-onion-garlic; the whole area is strictly vegetarian, though individual outlets change, so check on the day.
- ✦Mathura Wale / traditional sweet shops around Bhupatwala - pure-vegetarian mithai, kachori-sabzi and chaat for pilgrims; verify the specific counter locally as vendors vary.
- ✦Ashram bhandaras and pure-veg dhabas toward Har Ki Pauri - dependable vegetarian meals within a short auto ride; alcohol-free by town custom.
- ✦Sit-down pure-veg restaurants near Har Ki Pauri and along Upper Road / Bara Bazaar - fuller vegetarian thali menus a short ride south; the whole town is strictly vegetarian and alcohol-free, but confirm the specific outlet and its hours on arrival.
About
Pawan Dham, popularly known as the Kanch ka Mandir or Glass Temple, is one of Haridwar's most photographed modern devotional landmarks, set on Sapt Sarovar Road in the Bhupatwala area a little north of Har Ki Pauri.
- Founded by the ashram of Swami Vedantanand Ji Maharaj, the temple is celebrated less for antiquity than for craft: nearly every interior surface — walls, pillars, ceilings and shrine niches — is sheathed in intricate mirror-work, coloured glass and mosaic, so that lamplight and daylight fracture into a shimmering, kaleidoscopic glow.
- The effect recalls the sheesh mahal (mirror-palace) tradition adapted to a purely devotional setting, and it is this dazzling glasswork that gives the temple its everyday name.
- The presiding shrines centre on beautifully ornamented idols, most prominently a richly bejewelled image of Radha-Krishna, alongside other deities honoured in the Vaishnava and broader Hindu tradition.
- The idols are elaborately dressed and adorned, and the mirrored backdrops multiply their reflections into an almost infinite devotional tableau — a quality that makes the darshan (viewing of the deity) here memorable even to visitors who have seen many temples.
- Because the artistry is close-up and detailed rather than monumental, Pawan Dham rewards an unhurried, quiet walk-through rather than a quick glance.
- Haridwar is a Saptapuri — one of Hinduism's seven holiest cities — and, like the whole pilgrimage town, it is strictly vegetarian and alcohol-free by long-standing custom.
- Pawan Dham fits naturally into a Sapt Sarovar and Bhupatwala circuit that can also take in nearby ashrams and the Ganga-side ghats, and it pairs especially well with an early-evening visit before the Har Ki Pauri Ganga Aarti downstream.
- Entry is free, and the temple is open to all visitors regardless of faith.
- For vegetarian travellers the setting could not be simpler: the entire town serves only pure-vegetarian food, and many kitchens along the Bhupatwala–Sapt Sarovar stretch cook satvik meals without onion or garlic for the pilgrim clientele.
- Modest dress, removing footwear before entering, and quiet, respectful conduct during any ongoing worship are the usual courtesies; photography of the glasswork is generally tolerated, but always ask before photographing the sanctum or ongoing puja.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Sapt Sarovar Road, Bhagirathi Nagar, Bhupatwala, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, 249401
How to Reach: On Sapt Sarovar Road in Bhupatwala, about 4 km from Haridwar Junction Railway Station and roughly 2.5 km north of Har Ki Pauri. From the railway station or bus stand, a shared vikram (tempo), auto-rickshaw or cycle-rickshaw runs along the Bhupatwala road; autos cost about 60 to 120 rupees depending on point of origin. It combines easily with other Sapt Sarovar and Bhupatwala ashrams on foot.
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
Why is Pawan Dham called the Glass Temple or Kanch ka Mandir?
Because its interior is almost entirely covered in intricate mirror-work, coloured glass and mosaic. The glass and mirrors catch light and reflect the ornately adorned idols from every angle, creating a shimmering, jewel-bright effect throughout the shrine - which is why locals call it the Kanch ka Mandir, the Glass Temple.
What are the timings of Pawan Dham in Haridwar?
Pawan Dham is generally open from about 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily. Timings can shift with the season and around festivals, and there may be a midday break, so it is best to confirm locally before planning your visit.
Is there an entry fee for Pawan Dham?
No, entry to Pawan Dham is free. As an ashram temple it is open to everyone regardless of faith, with no admission ticket. A donation box is available for those who wish to contribute, but it is entirely voluntary.
How do I reach Pawan Dham from Har Ki Pauri or Haridwar station?
The temple is on Sapt Sarovar Road in Bhupatwala, about 2.5 km north of Har Ki Pauri and roughly 4 km from Haridwar Junction Railway Station. Shared vikrams (tempos), auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws run along the Bhupatwala road; an auto costs about 60 to 120 rupees. It sits among several ashrams, so you can easily walk between nearby sites.
What can I see inside Pawan Dham?
The highlight is the dazzling mirror-and-glass interior, with detailed mosaic on walls, pillars and ceilings. The main shrines feature elaborately dressed and bejewelled idols, most prominently a richly adorned Radha-Krishna, whose reflections multiply in the surrounding mirrors. Because the artistry is close-up and detailed, it rewards an unhurried walk-through; a visit of 30 to 45 minutes is usually enough.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near Pawan Dham?
The whole of Haridwar is strictly vegetarian and alcohol-free, so every eatery around the temple serves pure-vegetarian food, much of it satvik (cooked without onion or garlic) for pilgrims. You will find simple thali bhojanalayas and sweet shops along the Bhupatwala and Sapt Sarovar road, with fuller pure-veg restaurants a short ride south toward Har Ki Pauri. Specific outlets change over time, so check on the day.
What should I keep in mind when visiting Pawan Dham?
Dress modestly, remove your footwear before entering, and stay quiet and respectful during any ongoing worship. Photography of the glasswork is generally tolerated, but always ask before photographing the sanctum or an active puja. It pairs well with an early-evening visit followed by the Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri.