Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar, Uttarakhand India

Mansa Devi is one of the most popular and most visited temples of Haridwar, Uttaranchal. The temple is dedicated to Mansa Devi, a form of Shakti (Power). Located at the top of Bilwa Parvat (Hill), Mansa Devi Temple can be reached by taking local buses, rickshaws or by hiring from Haridwar. In order to reach the hill-top, one can either go for trekking or for cable-car.

Mansa Devi Temple is placed on the peak of a hill which is called by the name of Bilwa Parwat in Haridwar. The prime attraction of Mansa Devi Temple or Mansa Mata Mandir includes two awe-inspiring sculptures. While one of the Goddesses of Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar has eight arms, the other one stands in the shrine with five arms and three mouths. This unique traits of the two presiding deities makes Mansa Devi Temple one of the outstanding religious appeals of Haridwar.

Mansa Devi Temple is an ancient temple that attracts people from both far and near due to its significance. It is believed that the Goddess fulfills all the wishes of a sincere devotee. Actually, the term 'Mansa' is the altered form of word 'Mansha', which means 'wish'. On the top of the hill, there are many shops where coconuts, fruits, marigold garlands and incense sticks are available. These things are offered to the Goddess.

To visit the temple, pilgrims have to follow a queue for the 'darshan' of the Goddess. Mansadevi is said have born from the mind of Saint Kashyap. She is regarded as the wife of Nag Raja Vasuki. This temple is one of the most prominent temples of North India. Mansa Devi is one of the famous Siddh Peethas (Holy Places where one's wishes are fulfilled) along with Chandi Devi and Maya Devi in Haridwar.

People usually tie threads on a holy tree that is located in the vicinity of the temple asking the Goddess to fulfill their wishes. On the fulfillment of the wishes, people come to untie the thread from the same tree once again. The temple is of great importance to the followers of Hinduism. One can have a panoramic view of Haridwar from the top of Bilwa Hill.

Dedicated to Mansa Devi, the consort of Vasuki who is the king of snakes, the temple is visited by huge number of devotees who prefer to walk up the hill to seek the blessings of the presiding Goddesses. However arrangements of ropeway and trolley are also available to arrive at the temple premises.

Among the many must visits in Haridwar the Mansa Devi Temple claims a special mention. Enshrined with two unique idols the Mansa Devi Temple is one of the three Siddhpeeths of Haridwar.

Known for ubiquitous shrines, ashrams and ghats Haridwar is one of those tourists sites of India where infinite number of pilgrims come every year. Each and every temple of Haridwar tells of a distinct mythological saga. The local people of Haridwar have deep faith in the Gods and Goddesses of these temples. Such is the charm of the sacred locales of Haridwar that even tourists from other countries visit the place in large numbers

Mansa Devi Temple can be visited throughout the year. However, it receives maximum footfall during Navaratri and Kumbh Mela in Haridwar.