Chandi Devi-Haridwar

This weekend the whole family took a trip to Haridwar. Haridwar is a nearby city, about a 1 hour drive, known for its massive amounts of temples and the Hindu holy river Ganga ji running through the city. Every year millions of people from all over India, and even foreigners, flock to Haridwar for different festivals and religious ceremonies. Haridwar is also the same city where Abhinav and I were married.

This weekend we went to visit a famous temple in Haridwar called Chandi Devi, devoted to the Hindu goddess named Chandi Devi. The unique thing about this temple is the way you have to get there. The temple is located on the top of a hill, requiring a 3 kilometer (1.8 miles) walk uphill. It took us around 40 minutes to reach the top, and by the end we were all breathing heavily and sweating.

Entrance at the bottom of the hill. 

Walking up the hill...anyone tired yet? 

Outside the temple vendors sell flowers and foods that are offered to the gods. 

Entrance to Chandi Devi temple. 

 Abhinav's father at the entrance of the temple, ringing a bell and holding some flowers.

Monkeys hang around, waiting for unsuspecting victims to steal food from. 

View from the trail on a hazy day. 

Pathway from Chandi Devi to a nearby temple on the other hilltop.

Inside the temple we did see a monkey steal a man's bag from his hand while the man was looking away. By the time he turned to see what was tugging at his hand, the monkey was already running away. Within seconds his wife came running saying the her wallet was in the bag too...these moneys really are well-trained.

Walking down from the temple was easier than going up, but by the time we reached home again we were all exhausted.