Maa Sharda Devi Temple, Maihar: A Complete Guide for Travelers

If you are looking for a spiritual and scenic place to visit in Madhya Pradesh, you might want to consider Maa Sharda Devi Temple, Maihar. This ancient temple is dedicated to Goddess Sharda, also known as Saraswati, the goddess of learning, wisdom, and music. The temple is located on the Trikuta hill, about 5 km from the Maihar railway station. It is one of the 51 Shakti Peeths, where the necklace of Goddess Sati fell when Lord Shiva carried her body after her self-immolation. The word Maihar means “mother’s necklace” in Hindi.

Maa Sharda Devi Temple in Maihar, Madhya Pradesh

The temple is believed to be built around 502 AD by the Nagvanshi kings. It was later renovated by the Bundela kings in the 17th century. The temple has a simple and elegant structure, with a white dome and a red flag on top. The main idol of Goddess Sharda is made of stone and adorned with jewels and flowers. The temple also has shrines for Lord Ganesha, Lord Kartikeya, and Adi Shankaracharya.

How to reach Maa Sharda Devi Temple, Maihar from Delhi?

There are several ways to reach Maa Sharda Devi Temple, Maihar from Delhi, depending on your budget and preference. Here are some of the options:

By Air: The nearest airports to Maihar are Khajuraho (130 km), Jabalpur (150 km), Allahabad (200 km), and Varanasi (250 km). You can take a flight from Delhi to any of these airports and then hire a taxi or take a train to Maihar.
By Train: The Maihar railway station is well connected to Delhi and other major cities by regular trains. Some of the trains that stop at Maihar are Mahakaushal Express, Mahanagari Express, Jabalpur - Nizamuddin Superfast Express, and Rewa - Anand Vihar Terminal Express. The train journey takes about 15 to 16 hours from Delhi to Maihar.
By Road: You can also drive from Delhi to Maihar by car or bus. The distance is about 790 km and the route is via Yamuna Expressway and Bundelkhand Expressway. The road journey takes about 10 to 11 hours, depending on the traffic and road conditions.

Visiting hours of Maa Sharda Devi Temple, Maihar

The temple is open for darshan from 6:30 am to 7:30 pm every day. The temple also performs daily aarti and puja at different times of the day. The timings are as follows:

Mangal Aarti: 5:00 AM
Shringar Aarti: 7:00 AM
Rajbhog Aarti: 12:00 PM
Sandhya Aarti: 6:00 PM
Shayan Aarti: 9:00 PM

How to reach the Maihar temple

The temple is situated on the top of the Trikuta hill, which is about 600 feet above the ground level. To reach the temple, you have two options:

By Stairs: You can climb the 1063 steps that lead to the temple from the base of the hill. The stairs are well maintained and have resting places and shops along the way. The climb takes about an hour and a half, depending on your fitness level and pace. The stairs are open from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm.
By Ropeway: You can also take the ropeway service that was launched by the Madhya Pradesh government in 2016. The ropeway has four cabins, each with a capacity of four persons. The ropeway takes you from the lower station to the upper station near the temple in about 10 minutes. The ropeway is open from 6:30 am to 7:30 pm.

Ticket price of ropeway

The ticket price of the ropeway varies according to the age and type of journey. The prices are as follows:

Children up to 3 years: Free
Children between 3 to 10 years (both ways): Rs. 100
Children between 3 to 10 years (one way): Rs. 85
People above 10 years (both ways): Rs. 150
People above 10 years (one way): Rs. 100
Monthly pass (adult both ways): Rs. 1500
Monthly pass (child both ways): Rs. 850

Precautions to be followed to visit the temple:

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, as the weather can be hot and humid in Maihar.
Carry enough water and snacks, as the climb can be tiring and there are limited options for food and drinks on the hill.
Do not carry any valuables or electronic items, as they are not allowed inside the temple. You can deposit them at the locker facility at the lower station or at the temple entrance.
If you are visiting the temple during the peak season or the festival time, be prepared for long queues and crowds.
You can book the ropeway ticket online through the official website of the temple or through the tele-ticketing service. You can also buy the ticket at the counter at the lower station.

some other tourist attractions in and around Maihar:

Alha Udal Museum: This museum showcases the history and culture of Maihar and the Bundelkhand region. It displays the artifacts, weapons, paintings, and sculptures related to the legendary warriors Alha and Udal, who fought for the king of Mahoba against Prithviraj Chauhan.

Bada Akhada: This is the place where Alha and Udal used to practice wrestling and martial arts. It is also the place where Ustad Allauddin Khan used to teach music to his students.

Badi Mai Temple: This is another temple dedicated to Goddess Sharda, located about 2 km from the main temple. It is believed that this temple was built by the Pandavas during their exile.

Purva Falls: This is a scenic waterfall located about 30 km from Maihar. It is a popular picnic spot and a natural beauty spot.

Maa Sharda Devi Temple, Maihar is a divine destination for pilgrims and travelers who want to experience the grace and glory of the goddess of learning. It is a place where you can witness the blend of spirituality, history, and culture. It is a place where you can feel the peace and harmony of nature. It is a place where you can enrich your mind, body, and soul.

It is believed that when the doors of the temple are closed. 
and all the priests and devotees come down the mountain and 
no one remains there. At that time, Alha and Udal come inside 
the temple in invisible form to worship the Mother Goddess. 
When the doors of the temple open in the morning, the goddess 
is already worshipped. Alha and Udal were great devotees of 
Mother Sharda. He had discovered this sacred place of the Mother. 
Both the brothers performed rigorous penance for 12 years. 
Mother was very happy with this and blessed him with immortality.