Haridwar is one of the most ancient pilgrimage places in India is blessed with tons of temples all around the city. Thus, Haridwar means “Gateway to the Lord” with Hari meaning Lord and Dwar meaning Gateway. During your visit to Haridwar, you will come across many holistic shrines that have been dedicated to various Hindu deities. And amongst the many Mansa Devi Mandir leaves no stone unturned to impress devotees coming from across the country. This temple dedicated to goddess Mansa Devi is located on top of Bilwa Parvat on the Shivalik Hills. It offers a splendid view of the surrounding area of the city and a constant chain of the Himalayas. It is said that Mansa Devi in Haridwar is also called by the name Bilwa Tirth. It is one of the five pilgrimages (Panch Tirth) within Haridwar.
Based on the legends, Manasa or Mansa Devi came out from the mind of the sage Kashyap in the form of Shakti. The name Mansa means wish and in that regard. Many pilgrims come to the temple to wish by tying a thread on a tree located in the temple with a hope that their wishes will be granted. After their wishes are fulfilled, the devotees return to the temple to untie the thread. Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar is beautiful and religiously oozing with hope and devotion. It has two different ways to each, one can either hike for approx. 3 kilometer to the hilltop or get on a cable car or Udan Khatola called locally to the station on top. The hike can be tiring during hot weather so many opt for cable cars.
The Mansa Devi Mandir cable car in Haridwar runs from 7 AM between April and October, and 8 AM for the rest of the year. April to June is considered peak pilgrimage season and it remains crowded all day throughout the season. Haridwar’s Mansa Devi darshan is very auspicious. Many of the devotees take Prasad as an offering to the Goddess with bags filled with flowers and coconuts. Inside the temple complex, you'll find many small shrines leading towards the main temple where the Goddess dwells.
Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar Timings: 8:00 A.M to 12:00 Noon and 2:00 P.M to 5:00 P.M
Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar Entry Fees: Nil
