Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar is located on the summit of Bilwa Parvat on the Sivalik Hills in Uttarakhand, India. This ancient temple stands overlooking the Great Ganges and is considered as one amongst the Panch Tirth or Five Revered Pilgrimages in the city of Haridwar. Mansa Devi Mandir is also known as Bilwa Tirth.
Mansa Devi is sanctified as a form of Shakti, Goddess of Power. The shrine is also famous as one of the three Siddhpeeths (Sacred place where ones wish is rewarded) in the city and the other two being Chandi Devi Temple and Maya Devi Temple. Belief is that if one makes a wish and ties a black thread on a holy tree in the vicinity of the temple the Goddess would fulfill it. Upon fulfillment of the wish one gets back to untie the thread from the same tree.
Deities
Primary deity is Goddess Manasa Devi, a form of Shakti. Amongst the two idols in the temple one is seen with eight arms and the other is visualized in a standing posture with five arms and three heads.
Mansa Devi Temple on top of the Sivalik Hills. The rope way which leads to temple can be seen on left.
This holy place of pilgrimage is considered as the sacred abode of Manasa Devi. It is believed that the Goddess emerged from the mind of sage Kashyapa. Observed as the wife of Naga King, Vasuki, Mansa is believed to fulfill her devotees prayers and wishes. In fact the term ‘Mansa’ also means ‘wish’.
Temple Timings
The temple is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. The lunch time closure is between 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm. During summer and winter (On April 1st and Nov 1st) the timings change. During summer the timing is between 7:00 am to 8:00 pm. During winter the timing is between 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Festivals
Navratras and Kumbh Mela are the major festivals.
How to reach
One can reach shrine by either the Ropeway / cable cars is known as ‘Udankhatola’ or trek on feet. Mansa Devi Temple is 2.5 km away from Haridwar.
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