Char Dham Yatra 2024

Haidakhan Temple, Ranikhet, Uttarakhand

The Haidakhan Temple is nestled in the Chidianuala region of the mighty Ranikhet. This temple was established by Haidakhan who was believed to be the incarnation of Lord Shiva and to whom this temple is dedicated. He left his mortal remains in 1984, at an early age with his birth always being a mystery.

This temple has on display a tall statue of Lord Shiva and Lord hanuman. Numerous devotees, even from abroad visit this temple to have their marriage in Indian tradition. This temple offers breathtaking views of the majestic Himalayan beauties such as Nanda Devi, Panchachuli etc.

About Haidakhan Babaji

He was and is still referred to as Babaji by his students and devotees. Shri Babaji was also called by different names as Tryambak Baba, Bhole Baba, Shiva Baba, Muni Baba, Lama Baba, Maha Munindra, Munindra Bhawan etc. by his various devotees. Haidakhan Babaji was a spiritual teacher who mysteriously appeared in an ancient cave located at the foothills of Kumaon Mount Kailash. Today at that spot the Navadurga temples are built and it is in the small village called Haidakhan in Kumaon division on the banks of the Gaula River. Babaji renamed the Gaula/Gola river as Gautam Ganga. He taught publicly from 1970 until his Maha samadhi on 14 February 1984.

The village, Haidakhan, is named after a medicinal herb. The name is derived from harid/harad, (Terminalia chebula) which is available in abundance and the word ‘Khan’ is a malapropism of Hindi word ‘Khand’ meaning a segment/ section/ block. Originally the village was called Haridkhand (land block full of Terminalia chebula herbs) but with time the pronunciation changed and today the village is officially known as Haidakhan.

History of Haidakhan Baba

Haidakhan Babaji’s followers have faith in the fact that he is a Maha avatar – a human manifestation of God, not born from a woman. According to history it was reported that starting in late September of 1970, Haidakhan Babaji spent 45 days meditating in a small temple on the top of the Kumaon Mount Kailash without leaving his seat.

Teachings of Babaji

In September, the year 1971, Haidakhan Babaji, convinced the judge of the court in Haldwani that he was the “Old Hariakhan Baba”, in a sworn testimony, who was thought to be active in the same region back in the years of 1860–1922. He also told them that he had the rights to use the ashrams in Kathgaria and Haidakhan. In late 1971 Haidakhan Babaji started travelling across India, proclaiming his Messages, performing sacred ceremonies, such as yagna, and attracting more devotees.

Haidakhan Babaji’s teachings had one message of “All religions are incorporated in the principle of सत्य, सरलता, और प्रेम (Truth, Simplicity and Love)”.  In his living years he preached intensively the importance of living a simple life with having faith in strong principles and truth.

Even though people worshipped according to local customs, Haidakhan Babaji explained that he had come to restore the Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism).

After the evening Aarti, Babaji was giving short speeches that were recorded in “The Teachings of Babaji.”

Followers from the West

An ashram dedicated to Babaji, the Haidakhandi Universal Ashram, along with a temple dedicated to the goddess Lakshmi, was founded in Crestone, Colorado in 1989.

The musician Gopal Hari and his wife Ambika formed a group named Goma, performing Haidakhandi chants on their albums River of Grace and Sacred Source, and a third album of the Haidakhandi Aarat.

Babaji was introduced to many Westerners by Leonard Orr. He himself was an exponent of immortality and the founder of the breathwork practice of rebirthing. Orr maintained the image of Babaji that he was an immortal with his belief system shaken by Babaji’s Mahāsamādhi from a heart attack in 1984. His cult is widespread in the Western world where the “Yogananda/Babaji Lineage” was established in multiple centres.around the globe.

Haidakhandi Samaj

Babaji built several other temples and ashrams in India.

Ananda Puri Ashram, Chilianaula (Ranikhet)

Below Ranikhet, at a small village called Chilianaula a breathtakingly beautiful temple and ashram was constructed. Its proximity to Ranikhet provides easy access for devotees and tourists. Thousands of disciples from various countries were and are still receiving Babaji’s blessings by mystically being inspired to come to the spiritual path.

Manda Ashram (Maharashtra)

To reach this ashram, devotees can come to Vappi and then take a taxi or rickshaw to Bhole Baba ashram. It’s about 23 kms away from Vapi. Devotees coming from Mumbai can come by road in a taxi, or by train. They should get down at Sanjan station and take a rickshaw to the ashram via Khatalwad to Nagam. It is around 12 kms from Sanjan.

Babaji himself inaugurated the Manda temple in the navratras of the year 1983. The temple has the idols of Ganesh ji, Kali Mata, Batuk Bhairav and Lord Hanuman. This ashram is surrounded by beautiful mango and chikoo orchards.

The rituals here are conducted in accordance with Babaji’s wishes. Every full moon, a yagna is performed and numerous devotees participate in the bhandara.

Mahashivratri is the main festival celebrated every year here. On this occasion, Shri Babajis padukas from Haidakhan are brought by devotees and the occasion is celebrated for 3 days. On Maha Shivratri night, an all-night Shiv puja is performed along with the Abhishek.

There also exists the Manda trust which is meant to serve cows and it is called Shri Bhagwan Shri 1008 Shri Haidyakhandi Gau-Seva ashram where old and stray cows are provided shelter and care.

Location of The Haidakhan Temple

Tourists will have to indulge in a small trek that takes one through forest trails in order to reach the temple. Haidakhan Temple is located in Ranikhet ( On NH 109 Ranikhet – Dwarahat road). This temple is exactly located 5 kms from the main Ranikhet town, situated atop a hill which offers breathtaking views of the snow-clad Himalayan peaks.

How to Reach : The nearest railway station is located at Kathgodam which is 74 kms away from Ranikhet, near Haldwani. Closest airport being the Pantnagar airport is at a distance of 109 kms from Ranikhet, from where Taxi services are also available to destinations like Ranikhet, Haldwani, Nainital and Almora. Pantnagar airport is connected to Delhi via four weekly flights.

Buses ply on a regular basis and are readily available from Haldwani, Kathgodam and Nainital to Ranikhet. Buses to Kathgodam and Almora can also be taken from ISBT Anand Vihar, Delhi. Ranikhet is well connected by motorable roads with major cities of Uttarakhand state and northern India. Ranikhet is a well connected town in touch with all the major destinations of Garhwal as well as Kumaon regions.

Best Time to Visit Ranikhet

Summer

The weather during summer season remains moderate in some places, whereas some towns and villages in the extreme north or the upper realm stay untouched from the heat of the sun. The temperature in summer in Uttarakhand ranges from 20°C to 40°C (in Terai Region of the state) and April to June are the months of summer. During this time, a lot of devotees also perform the pilgrimage. The season is also ideal for trekking. Many tourists come to escape the city heat.

Monsoon

During the period of July to September, the monsoon season marks the state of Uttarakhand. The temperature of Uttarakhand in monsoon ranges between 15°C and 25°C and the place receives heavy rainfall during this time. Thus, it is advisable to check the weather forecast before planning a trip.

Winter

During the winter season, Uttarakhand looks most scenic as it snows at several places in the state. The temperature usually ranges between 0°C and 15°C. Additionally, October to March is considered as the month of winters in Uttarakhand. The weather during these months is chilly and snowfall is quite predictable.

What is Haidakhan Temple Famous for?

This temple is famous for a variety of reasons:

  1. Navratri is celebrated as one of the major festivals in Haidakhan with great enthusiasm here with MahaYajna for 9 days.
  2. Aarti chanting, Satsang, Bhajan like activities take place during evening time, where the devotees enjoy and be lost and forget the sorrows for the moment.
  3. Many devotees from all over the globe visit this temple with marriage purpose in Indian tradition.

Tourists Can Visit This Temple During Their Char Dham Yatra

Among the countless religious sites and circuits that devotees visit in Uttarakhand, one of the most prominent is the Char Dham Yatra. This Yatra or pilgrimage is a tour of four holy sites – Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath – nestled high up in the Himalayas. The Yamunotri temple, lodged in a narrow gorge close to the source of River Yamuna (the second-most sacred Indian river after River Ganga) in Uttarkashi district, is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna.

The district of Uttarkashi is also home to Gangotri dedicated to Goddess Ganga, the most sacred of all Indian rivers. Located in the Rudraprayag district lies Kedarnath, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Badrinath, home to the sacred Badrinarayan Temple, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

On a visit to Uttarakhand it is recommended to plan a trip to other holy places which might lie on the way of Char Dham Yatra. One such place is Haidakhan Temple which is of great religious significance in the state of Uttarakhand and all around the globe.

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