Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar

Bilwa Parvat, Haridwar, Uttarakhand

Devta dhams

About

Mansa Devi temple stands on Bilwa Parvat, a hill of the Shivalik range above Haridwar. It is also called Bilwa Tirth and is one of Haridwar's Panch Tirth. With the Chandi Devi and Maya Devi temples, it is counted among the three Siddh Peeths of Haridwar. 'Mansa' means the wish of the heart. By custom, devotees tie a thread on a tree in the temple and come back to untie it when their prayer is answered. The sanctum has two murtis of the Devi: one with eight arms, and one with three faces and five arms. Pilgrims climb on foot or ride the ropeway, the Udan Khatola.

The story

Mansa Devi is honoured as a form of Shakti with a close link to the nagas (serpents). Stories about her birth differ: one says she came from the mind (man) of Shiv ji, which is why she is called Mansa; another calls her a daughter of Rishi Kashyap. All agree that Vasuki, king of the nagas, is her brother. A folk story told in Haridwar says Mansa did not know who she really was. She did sadhana for many years so that she could meet Shiv ji and learn her truth. After his darshan, she became the goddess who works for the good of the world. Devotees offer her coconut, fruit, garlands and incense. Many pilgrims climb up for her darshan after bathing at Har Ki Pauri below. Another well-known temple of Mansa Devi is at Panchkula in Haryana.

Visiting

October to March is pleasant; Navratri, Sundays and holidays bring long queues. The footpath is about 3 km; the ropeway is easier for elders. From the top you get a fine view of Haridwar and the Ganga. Nearby are Har Ki Pauri, the Chandi Devi temple on Neel Parvat and the Maya Devi temple.