Sureshwari Devi Temple
Haridwar, Uttarakhand · temple
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
Sureshwari Devi Temple is a quietly atmospheric Shakti shrine tucked into the forested Ranipur range of Rajaji National Park, on the outskirts of Haridwar. Dedicated to the Devi in her Durga aspect, the temple sits on the low, wooded Soorkoot hill roughly 8 km from Haridwar city and about 2 km inside the forest gate near the BHEL Ranipur township. Its great distinction is atmosphere rather than scale: where Haridwar's riverfront temples throng with pilgrims, this one stands in near-silence among towering sal trees, dry seasonal streambeds and birdsong, offering the kind of contemplative stillness that devotees and nature-lovers travel out of town to find.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦BHEL Ranipur market (nearest to the temple) — small pure-vegetarian dhabas and tea/snack stalls for chai, samosa and a simple thali; modest, hedge on timings and carry water into the forest.
- ✦Hoshiyar Puri (Upper Road, Bara Bazaar, Haridwar) — a long-standing pure-vegetarian institution famous for its aloo-puri; entirely satvik, back in the old town about 8 km away.
- ✦Mathura Walo Ki Pracheen Dukan (Bara Bazaar) — historic pure-vegetarian sweet shop and thali counter serving Haridwar pilgrims; reliably vegetarian.
- ✦Pure-vegetarian thali houses and satvik bhojanalayas around Upper Road and Bara Bazaar (Haridwar old town) — dependable sit-down spots for a North Indian or South Indian meal on the way back into town; confirm timings on arrival.
About
Sureshwari Devi Temple is a quietly atmospheric Shakti shrine tucked into the forested Ranipur range of Rajaji National Park, on the outskirts of Haridwar.
- Dedicated to the Devi in her Durga aspect, the temple sits on the low, wooded Soorkoot hill roughly 8 km from Haridwar city and about 2 km inside the forest gate near the BHEL Ranipur township.
- Its great distinction is atmosphere rather than scale: where Haridwar's riverfront temples throng with pilgrims, this one stands in near-silence among towering sal trees, dry seasonal streambeds and birdsong, offering the kind of contemplative stillness that devotees and nature-lovers travel out of town to find.
- The temple is old — local tradition holds the site to be ancient — and the present structure is a modest whitewashed shrine complex reached by a short flight of steps, with the Devi enshrined in the sanctum and smaller subsidiary murtis around the courtyard.
- Priests perform the daily worship, and the surrounding forest lends the darshan an unusually elemental feel; the Ganga canal and the wider Rajaji wilderness are close at hand.
- Because the shrine lies within a protected forest range, the approach road passes through woodland where wildlife sightings (deer, peacocks, langurs, and occasionally elephants on the move) are possible, so visitors are asked to keep to daylight hours and travel quietly and respectfully.
- The temple's busiest and most vivid moments come during Navratri (both the spring Chaitra and the autumn Sharad festivals), when the Devi's shrine is decorated, bhajans fill the clearing, and a steady stream of Haridwar families make the short pilgrimage into the forest.
- At other times a weekday morning can feel almost solitary.
- For all visitors regardless of faith, the usual temple courtesies apply: remove footwear before the sanctum, dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, keep voices low, and ask before photographing the deity or worshippers.
- Haridwar is a strictly vegetarian and alcohol-free city by long custom, so the food question is happily simple.
- No eateries operate inside the forest around the temple itself, so most visitors carry water and eat back in town: BHEL Ranipur market has small pure-vegetarian dhabas and tea stalls, while Haridwar's old bazaars hold famous satvik institutions.
- A visit here pairs beautifully with the ghats of Har Ki Pauri — the forest calm of Sureshwari Devi in the morning, the river aarti by evening.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Ranipur Range, Rajaji National Park, near BHEL Ranipur, Haridwar, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, 249403
How to Reach: Ranipur range of Rajaji National Park, about 8 km from Haridwar city near the BHEL Ranipur township; the temple lies roughly 2 km inside the forest gate. From Har Ki Pauri, an auto-rickshaw or taxi to BHEL Ranipur costs about ₹150–250 (25–35 minutes), from where a forest road leads to the shrine. From Haridwar Railway Station it is a similar auto-rickshaw ride. There is no metro in Haridwar. Hire a vehicle that will wait, as onward transport from the forest edge is scarce; travel in daylight and avoid the approach after dusk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Sureshwari Devi Temple located?
It lies in the Ranipur range of Rajaji National Park on the outskirts of Haridwar, about 8 km from the city near the BHEL Ranipur township. The shrine sits on the wooded Soorkoot hill roughly 2 km inside the forest gate, surrounded by sal woodland — a peaceful setting quite different from Haridwar's riverfront temples.
What are the timings of Sureshwari Devi Temple?
The temple is reported to be open roughly from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with aarti times varying through the day. Because it stands inside a protected forest range, visits are strongly advised in daylight only. Timings can change seasonally, so it is best to confirm locally before setting out.
Is there an entry fee for Sureshwari Devi Temple?
No, entry to the temple is free, as with most Hindu shrines. As it sits within the Rajaji forest area, note that any separate forest or vehicle formalities can apply on the approach road; the darshan itself carries no ticket. Confirm current arrangements locally.
How do I reach Sureshwari Devi Temple from Har Ki Pauri?
Take an auto-rickshaw or taxi from Har Ki Pauri toward BHEL Ranipur (about ₹150–250, 25–35 minutes), then continue along the forest road to the shrine, which is roughly 2 km inside the gate. There is no metro in Haridwar. It is wise to hire a vehicle that will wait, since onward transport from the forest edge is limited, and to travel in daylight.
What is special about Sureshwari Devi Temple?
Its serenity. This is an ancient Devi (Durga) shrine set deep in the sal forest at the edge of Rajaji National Park, far quieter than Haridwar's crowded riverfront temples. The mix of active Shakti worship and untouched woodland draws both pilgrims and nature-lovers, and it is at its most vivid during Navratri. Keep to daylight, move quietly, and be mindful that wildlife shares the approach road.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near Sureshwari Devi Temple?
Haridwar is a strictly vegetarian, alcohol-free city, so options are all pure-veg. There are no eateries in the forest by the temple, so carry water and plan to eat in BHEL Ranipur market (small satvik dhabas and tea stalls) or back in the old town, where Hoshiyar Puri in Bara Bazaar is famous for aloo-puri, Mathura Walo Ki Pracheen Dukan serves classic sweets and thalis, and several pure-vegetarian thali houses and satvik bhojanalayas around Upper Road and Bara Bazaar offer a reliable sit-down meal.
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