Bharat Mata Temple

Overview

Bharat Mata Mandir is unique temple complex – a shrine – dedicated to Mother India, to her cultural and spiritual glory. It is a sanctuary for national harmony, unity, integrity that extols our values, our rich heritage, inspires a sense of pride, dedication for Bharat Mata. It heightens a sense of Samanvaya in our diverse rites, rituals and practices.

Such a vision in sculpture of scriptures, a bold manifestation of the vast spectrum of Indian history is an original contribution from an impecunious (akinchan) sanyasi, an elegant gift to the nation. An incomparable pioneer in its field, it enjoys a coveted status of national significance.

About The Temple

Bharat Mata or Mother India has a temple dedicated to her by devoted patriotic nationals. The Bharat Mata temple is a religious shrine, founded by Swami Satyamitranand Giri. This temple was inaugurated by Late Prime Minister, Smt Indira Gandhi, in the year 1983.

Located in Sapt Sarovar near ashram at Haridwar, Bharat Mata Temple is a holy place of its own kind. One of the most unique places to visit in the town of Haridwar is the Bharat Mata Mandir or the Mother India Temple. Consisting of eight stories, the temple is a major attraction for travellers in Haridwar.

Every single floor of this eight-storey building is devoted to representing a specific theme. The temple building is elevated to a height of 180 ft.This eight-storied temple is tall to the approximate height of 180 feet. Elevators are installed in the temple to aid the pilgrims. Each storey of the temple is based on a particular theme, housing figures of many mythological legends, religious deities, freedom fighters and leaders. It is a kind of reverence to all those, who played a vital role in the formation of the country.

On the first floor, Statue of Bharat Mata adorns the hall, where the Goddess is holding a milk pot in one hand and stack of grain in the other hand. This image of Goddess represents the nurture granted by the Mother as a toddler and as an adult.This floor also comprises a huge map of India on a raised platform. It also has a big picture of Indira Gandhi, inaugurating the temple.

Shoor Mandir’ is the title granted to the second floor and it is dedicated to the legendary heroes of India. The third floor is known as ‘Matru Mandir’ that celebrates the achievements of honored women like Meera Bai, Savitri and Matiri etc. ‘Sant Mandir’ is the fourth floor that features great saints from different religions of India.

The fifth floor has an assembly hall, where all the practicing religions in India, are represented in a harmonious manner on the walls. It also reveals the historical facts and paintings screening the natural beauty of India. On the sixth floor, Goddess Shakti is represented in different forms like Durga, Parvati, Sati, Radha, Saraswati, Kali etc. The seventh floor is dedicated to all the incarnations and forms of Lord Vishnu including Ram, Krishna and Matsya etc. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the eighth floor offers a splendid view of the Himalayas and the whole complex of Sapt Sarovar.

National Integrity

There are no barriers of caste, creed, race, of high or low. Thousands throng everyday to get their inspiration, to breathe the fragrance of culture and spirituality, to see a rare confluence of scholars, philosophers, martyrs, of nobility and Divinity, a delicate aesthetic architectural marvel, a focus of pilgrimage.

Atithi Sewa (Samanvaya Kutir)

Samnavaya Kutir is a delightful Ashram complex with a Satsang Bhavan a well stocked reference library/reading room; an Office block for administration, account keeping, publication etc; residential accomodation for students, brahmacharies, sadhaks and guests(approx. 200 rooms with modern amenities), a modern kitchen complex with a spacious Dining Hall and a spacious Jagadguru Shankaracharya Lecture Hall.

Old Age Home (Bharat Sadan)

For the retired who wish to spend their life in the vicinity of the holy Ganga in Sadhna for spiritual awakening, this is a unique complex with 75 modern, well furnished rooms with facilities for satsang, communal kitchen, dining room, and reading/reception room. A lift is installed for the needy.

Education (Ved Vidyalaya)

It is one of the prime objectives of Ved Vidyalaya to encourage study of Vedas, Vedanta’s (branches of Vedas), and Sanskrit language which is a very useful and only medium for learning Vedic literature. Actually, the work of studying Vedas is going on very well in Vedic schools supported by the Ved Vidyalaya. However, though it is not the only objective of Ved Vidyalaya to run Vedic schools, these schools either promoted or actually run by the Ved Vidyalaya is relentlessly advancing on the path of progress.

Anna Kshetra

There are three groups (mandali) of detached, tapasvi saints (approx. 300 of them ) that reside in the vicinity of the ashram. They assemble every morning at 9.00 a.m and are invited for ‘bhiksha’ (free meals). The holy saints are received with dignity and fed according to their requirements. On occasions there is free distribution of clothing, blankets, umbrella, incense sticks, soap, match-box and similar needy items.

Gaushala

The Ashram has well equipped cow shed with modern amenities to serve the good quality cows (Gaumata). The milk, curd, butter-milk etc. that are obtained every day are used for the benefit of students, ashram residents and guests.

Medical Facilities

There are free homeopathic and allopathic dispensing facilities in the Ashram with Resident Doctors, Compounders and other auxiliaries. Drugs prescribed are dispensed free.

Diagnostic Camps

On occasions arrangements are made for ‘Shibirs’ free diagnostic camps when several doctors are in attendance.

• ‘Netra Shibir’ – Eye Diagnostic camps with facilities for cataract removal/lens implantation are also arranged.
• ‘Danta Shibir’ – Dental camps with free denture service are also arranged from time to time.
• Shibirs for other common diseases are also held from time to time.

The scope of above services is expanding every year as more facilities become available.

Physio Therapy Centre

This ‘Vinobha Bhave’ physiotherapy centre is a permanent fixture of the Ashram with a resident Physiotherapist qualified in modern technique. This is unique service in the area; it is well equipped and several patients from the city and neighbouring areas avail themselves of the free facilities.

Viklang Centre

The Viklang Centre for the handicapped caters the needs of our unfortunate physically disabled victims of limited use of a limb, impairing mobility. This is another unique service of the Ashram. Artificial limbs are fitted, cretches, wheel chairs, tricycles are provided free of charge. The centre is used by sufferers from a wide area. A generator is installed to stand by when power supply fails.

About The Deity

Bharat Mata is the representation of India in the form of a mother goddess. The Goddess of India or Mother India is generally illustrated as a woman dressed in a saffron-colored sari and holding the flag in one of her hands.

Prayer

Every morning at 5.30am and every evening at 6.00pm there are mass prayers. All students, sadhaks, other inmates and guests join in and begin and end their day in worship. The inmates have facilities for the study of yoga, for meditation, for research and for attending spiritual discourses.

Nearby Places to Visit

1. Har Ki Pauri
2. Maya Devi Temple
3. Daksha Mahadev Temple
4. Shanti Kunj Ashram
5. Chandi Devi Temple
6. Parad Shivling
7. Bhimgoda Tank
8. Pawan Dham Temple
9. Mansa Devi Temple
10. Sapt Rishi Ashram

Accessibility

Airport

The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (30 Kms).

Railways

The nearest railway station to reach Bharat Mata Mandir is Haridwar railway station (7 Km).

Road

One can reach Bharat Mata Mandir by taxi or bus from Haridwar bus stand.

Temple Address

Bharat Mata Mandir,
Samanvaya Kutir,Sapt Sarovar,
P.O. Sadhubela, Bhupatwala,Haridwar 249410,
(Uttarakhand), India.