TempleGuide
Home / Madhya Pradesh / Maihar Sharda Devi Temple
Trikut Hill, Madhya Pradesh

Maihar Sharda Devi: the hill goddess climbed 1,063 steps a day

On the crest of Trikut Hill, above the small railway town of Maihar, sits one of India's most-visited Shakti shrines to Maa Sharda, the goddess of learning. Pilgrims reach her either by 1,063 stone steps or by a modern ropeway, and the local faith holds that the immortal warrior Alha still slips in before dawn to lay the first garland.

Maa Sharda Devi temple on the summit of Trikut Hill, Maihar, Madhya PradeshPhoto: LRBurdak
Darshan timings
Approx 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily
Entry
Free darshan; ropeway ticketed
Nearest station
Maihar, approx 5 km from hill base
Signature stat
1,063 steps up Trikut Hill (approx 367 m)
TimingsHow to reachAartiDress & rulesBest timeNearbyWhere to stayFAQ

Darshan timings at Maihar Sharda Devi

Darshan timings by season
SeasonOpensDarshanClosesStatus
All year (typical)5:00 AMMorning 5:00 AM to 8:00 AM; evening 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM9:00 PMOpen
Navratri (Mar-Apr and Sep-Oct)Pre-dawn (extended)Extended hours with heavy queuesLateOpen
Verify before you travel. Timings compiled from darshan-info sites and can shift on festival days; there is a midday lull rather than a hard closure. Confirm live hours before travel.

Read the full Timings & Darshan Hours →

How to reach Maihar Sharda Devi Temple

Maihar sits on the Mumbai-Howrah main line, so most pilgrims arrive by train and then take a short auto or taxi hop to the hill base, where the steps and ropeway both begin.

Reaching by rail, road and air
ModePointDistanceNotes
TrainMaihar Railway StationApprox 5 km to hill baseOn the main line; many mail/express trains halt. Autos and taxis wait outside for the 10-15 min run to the base.
AirJabalpur / Khajuraho airportApprox 150 km / 130 kmPrayagraj (Allahabad) is another option; all need a road transfer of 3 to 4 hours.
RoadFrom Satna cityApprox 35-40 kmSatna is the nearest big city and rail junction; regular buses and taxis run to Maihar on NH-30/NH-39.
Hill ascentBase to summit shrine1,063 steps or ropewayRopeway runs roughly 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM (with a short midday pause); the climb on foot takes most pilgrims 45-60 min.

Read the full How to Reach →

Puja & aarti schedule

  • Morning aarti (mangala)Approx 5:00 AM
  • Morning darshan window5:00 AM to 8:00 AM
  • Evening darshan window4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
  • Sringar / evening aartiEvening (before closing)
Local lore says a fresh garland and puja are found on the idol at dawn, credited to the immortal devotee Alha; exact aarti clock times vary by season, verify on arrival.

Read the full Aarti & Puja Schedule →

Dress code & temple rules

Modest, traditional dress is expected; cover shoulders and legs.

Footwear is removed at the foot of the climb or before the sanctum; go barefoot or in socks on the steps.

Carry water and wear grippy footwear for the 1,063-step ascent if you are not taking the ropeway.

Leather items are best left behind at the sanctum.

Keep the queue moving during Navratri; photography inside the sanctum is usually restricted.

Read the full Dress Code & Temple Rules →

Best time to visit & festivals

The cool, dry months are the comfortable window for the climb, but the temple's soul shows during the twin Navratris, when lakhs pour up the hill.

Major festivals
FestivalWhenSignificance
Sharadiya NavratriSeptember to OctoberThe biggest gathering of the year; nine nights of special puja, decoration and a huge mela at the base. Peak
Chaitra NavratriMarch to AprilThe spring Navratri, again drawing lakhs of pilgrims with fairs and continuous darshan. Peak
Cool season travelOctober to MarchPleasant weather makes the steps and hilltop comfortable; ideal for a relaxed visit outside festival crush.

Read the full Best Time to Visit & Festivals →

Nearby temples & tirths

Khajuraho Group of Temples

Khajuraho Group of Temples

A UNESCO temple-sculpture complex within reach of the same trip circuit

Approx 130 km from Maihar Sharda Devi →
Maa Vindhyavasini, Mirzapur

Maa Vindhyavasini, Mirzapur

Another major Shakti hill shrine in the Vindhya belt

Approx 190 km from Maihar Sharda Devi →
Mahakaleshwar, Ujjain

Mahakaleshwar, Ujjain

Madhya Pradesh's most famous Jyotirlinga, the Bhasma Aarti temple

Approx 500 km from Maihar Sharda Devi →

Read the full Nearby Temples & Tirths →

Where to stay

Most pilgrims stay in Maihar town itself, which has budget dharamshalas, guesthouses and a few basic hotels near the station and the hill base; the larger city of Satna (approx 35-40 km) offers more mid-range hotel choice. Rooms fill fast and rates jump during both Navratris, so book ahead for festival dates.

Read the full Where to Stay →

Frequently asked questions

Maihar Sharda temple timings today
The temple is generally open daily from about 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM, with a morning darshan window (roughly 5 to 8 AM) and an evening window (roughly 4 to 9 PM). Hours extend during Navratri; confirm live timings before you travel.
How many steps at Maihar Sharda Devi temple
There are 1,063 stone steps up Trikut Hill to the shrine, at an altitude of about 367 m. If you cannot climb, a ropeway runs roughly 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM.
Nearest railway station to Maihar Sharda temple
Maihar Railway Station on the Mumbai-Howrah main line, about 5 km from the hill base, a 10 to 15 minute auto or taxi ride.
Is Maihar Sharda temple open during Navratri
Yes, and Navratri is its busiest time. Both Sharadiya (Sep-Oct) and Chaitra (Mar-Apr) Navratri draw lakhs of pilgrims, with extended hours and a large fair at the base.
Nearest airport to Maihar Sharda Devi temple
Jabalpur (approx 150 km) and Khajuraho (approx 130 km) are the nearest airports; Prayagraj is another option. All require a road transfer of a few hours.

Compiled from public sources including Maa Sharda Mandir, Maihar - Wikipedia · Ma Sharda Mata, Maihar - Rewa Division, Govt of MP · Maa Sharda Mata - District Maihar, Govt of MP · Maihar Ropeway - Holidify. Timings and seasonal closures change; confirm with the temple trust before travelling.