Photo spot in Haridwar
Bharat Mata Mandir
Haridwar, Uttarakhand
A multi-storey temple dedicated to 'Mother India', each floor honouring heroes, saints and deities of the nation.
Best time
Morning for soft light on the tower and fewer people at the entrance; late afternoon for warm light and river views from the top floor.
Best angle
Stand back on the road outside the gate and take a vertical photo of the whole tower, framing it from base to spire.
Entry fee
Free
Opening hours
7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Crowd level
Medium
Best outfit colors
Overview
Best time to visit Bharat Mata Mandir
Morning for soft light on the tower and fewer people at the entrance; late afternoon for warm light and river views from the top floor. Crowds here are typically medium. Arrive a little early to claim your angle and catch the softest light before the day tips over.
Poses & angles
Photo tips for Bharat Mata Mandir
Stand back on the road outside the gate and take a vertical photo of the whole tower, framing it from base to spire. Work a few of the pose ideas below, shoot wide for context and tight for detail, and give yourself a couple of extra minutes to get the frame right.
Before the temple facade
On the upper-floor balconies
Outfit guide
What to wear at Bharat Mata Mandir
For photos at Bharat Mata Mandir, saffron, white and green work beautifully — they stand out against the setting without fighting it. Pick one hero colour and keep the rest of the look calm so you stay the subject of the frame.
Best outfit colors for photos
Trending wear for this spot
Popular modern looks travellers are wearing across Haridwar.
Traditional wear for this spot
Timeless, cultural outfits worn across Haridwar.
Eat nearby
Food near Bharat Mata Mandir
Round out the visit with something to eat. Look for aloo tikki chaat nearby.
Special dishes to try
Search food by craving
Good to know
Local tips
Take the lift to the top floor and walk down, seeing each floor on the way.
Go in the morning, before tour buses arrive and the lift queue builds.
Check the midday closing time so you do not arrive during the break.
Look out from the top floor for a view over the Ganga and the Sapt Sarovar ghats.
Leave your shoes at the counter at the entrance before going in.
Combine it with a stop in the Sapt Sarovar area on the way to Rishikesh.
Take the stairs slowly on the way down, as they are narrow and busy in places.
A temple to Mother India
Bharat Mata Mandir was founded by Swami Satyamitranand Giri and opened in 1983 by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. It is a tower of about 55 m, with eight floors, standing near the Sapt Sarovar area on the road north towards Rishikesh, a few kilometres from Har Ki Pauri. Instead of a single deity, it honours India: its history, heroes, saints and faiths.
Floor by floor
On the ground floor is an image of Bharat Mata, Mother India, above a large map of the country. The floor above, the Shoor Mandir, is given to freedom fighters and national heroes. The next, the Matri Mandir, honours women such as Meera Bai and Savitri. Higher floors cover saints and thinkers from different traditions, including Sikh, Jain and Buddhist figures, and the many forms of the goddess. The top floor is a shrine to Shiva, and its windows look out over the Ganga and the hills.
Getting round
A lift takes visitors up for a small fee, and many walk down floor by floor, which is the natural way to see the exhibits. The stairs are narrow in places. Allow about an hour. Photography is generally allowed in the halls; follow any signs near the shrines.
When to go
The temple usually opens early in the morning and closes in the evening, with a break around midday; confirm the hours before you go. Mornings are calmer. It is less busy than the hill temples, but tour groups arrive in waves, and school holidays and long weekends bring queues for the lift.
Nearby
The Sapt Sarovar area is lined with ashrams and ghats. It is a good stop on the way to or from Rishikesh, and fits easily into an afternoon after the hill temples.
Questions
Bharat Mata Mandir — FAQ
What is the best time to visit Bharat Mata Mandir?
Morning for soft light on the tower and fewer people at the entrance; late afternoon for warm light and river views from the top floor. Stand back on the road outside the gate and take a vertical photo of the whole tower, framing it from base to spire.
Is there an entry fee at Bharat Mata Mandir?
Entry to Bharat Mata Mandir is free.
What are the opening hours of Bharat Mata Mandir?
Bharat Mata Mandir is open 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM.
What should I wear at Bharat Mata Mandir?
Saffron, white and green photograph especially well here. Explore the trending and traditional outfit ideas on this page for full looks.
How crowded does Bharat Mata Mandir get?
Crowd levels are typically medium. To miss the busiest window: morning for soft light on the tower and fewer people at the entrance; late afternoon for warm light and river views from the top floor.
What food should I try near Bharat Mata Mandir?
Try aloo tikki chaat at spots close by.
How many floors does Bharat Mata Mandir have?
Eight. They run from Mother India on the ground floor, through freedom fighters and women saints, to a Shiva shrine at the top.
Is there a lift at Bharat Mata Mandir?
Yes, for a small fee. Most visitors ride up and walk down through the floors.
Can I take photos inside?
Photography is generally allowed in the exhibit halls. Follow any signs asking you not to photograph at the shrines.
How far is it from Har Ki Pauri?
A few kilometres north, near Sapt Sarovar on the Rishikesh road. An auto takes around 15 minutes.