Maya Devi Temple, Haridwar — the old shrine of the city's goddess
temple · 3.5 km away
temple9 min from Haridwar
Daksheswara Mahadev Temple, Kankhal — where the legend of Sati is placed
The Daksheswara Mahadev Temple at Kankhal, 9 minutes south of Haridwar, is tied to the legend of Daksha's sacrifice and Sati. Built 1810, rebuilt 1962.
What it is
The Daksheswara Mahadev Temple, also called Daksha Mahadev, is a Shiva temple in Kankhal, the old quarter south of Haridwar, named for King Daksha Prajapati, Sati's father. In the legend, Daksha held a sacrifice here and did not invite Shiva; Sati came anyway, was insulted by her father, and burned herself in the fire. The temple is a tribute to that story. Wikipedia says Queen Dhankaur had it built in 1810 and that it was rebuilt in 1962.
Photos: World8115 (CC BY-SA 3.0) · World8115 (CC BY-SA 3.0) — via Wikimedia Commons, resized.
Getting there
About 5 km and 9 minutes by road from Har Ki Pauri, by our routing. Wikipedia gives about 4 km from Haridwar. We have not measured the walk from where the road ends, so ask locally, and allow extra time on festival days.
What you see
The main temple has a tall white spire, with painted lion statues at its gate in our photographs and a large statue of Shiva outside. Beside it stands the Das Mahavidya temple, and there is a temple to Ganga in the complex, with the Daksha Ghat on the river nearby, Wikipedia says. Sati Kund, where the legend says Sati burned herself, is also in Kankhal.
The legend ends with Daksha beheaded by Virabhadra, the being born of Shiva's anger, and later restored with a goat's head. Pilgrims come especially on Maha Shivaratri, and the Das Mahavidya temple is a venue for worship in Navratri.
Know before you go
It is a working temple. Dress modestly, ask before photographing worshippers or the images, and expect crowds on Maha Shivaratri. We found no published opening times or entry fee, so ask locally.
Around it
Har Ki Pauri and the Maya Devi Temple are back towards the city, and the two-day plan puts Kankhal on its second day. Things to do in Haridwar lists every stop with distances.
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Questions people ask
What is the Daksheswara Mahadev Temple?
A Shiva temple in Kankhal, about 4 km from Haridwar, named for King Daksha Prajapati, Sati's father. Wikipedia says Queen Dhankaur had it built in 1810, that it was rebuilt in 1962, and that Shaivite pilgrims come on Maha Shivaratri.
What legend is linked to it?
King Daksha held a sacrifice at this place and did not invite Shiva. Sati attended, was insulted, and burned herself in the sacrificial fire. In anger Shiva sent Virabhadra, who beheaded Daksha, and Daksha was later brought back to life with a goat's head. The temple is a tribute to that story.
What else is in the complex?
Wikipedia says the Das Mahavidya temple stands next to the main temple and is a venue for Navratri worship, and that there is also a temple to Ganga in the complex, with the Daksha Ghat on the river beside it. Sati Kund, where the legend says Sati burned herself, is also in Kankhal.