History, Importance, Timings, Ropeway Ticket, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India
Mansa Devi Temple is one of the most popular and major pilgrimage attraction of Haridwar, the land of God in state of Uttarakhand. It is located on top of Bilwa Hill of the Shivalik Range of Himalayas and holds high spiritual importance in Sanatan Dharma. Mansa Devi temple is one of the three Siddh Peeth of Haridwar along with Chandi Devi Temple and Maya Devi Temple. Mansa Devi temple is dedicated to goddess Mansa the form of goddess Shakti which literally means is goddess who fulfil the wish. Every day, thousands of pilgrims across the world visits here throughout the year and number increase very high during the Navaratri and Kumbh Mela. Temple has two beautiful idols of goddess Mansa Devi, one with three mouths and five arms and the other with eight arms. Here in temple, devotee makes a wish by tying a thread to branches of holy tree located in temple premise and once goddess fulfil their wishes, they visit the temple again to untie the thread from the tree.
The location of Mansa Devi temple is unique and at such height that you can enjoy the panoramic view of entire Haridwar along with beautiful view of holy river Gange. Sometime people also referred Mansa Devi temple as Bilwa Tirth as it is located on top of Bilwa hill and one of the Panch Tirth – five holy site of Haridwar. Mansa Devi temple is well known for being the holy abode of goddess Manasa, a form of Shakti, and it is believed that goddess emerged from the mind of the great sage Kashyapa. Goddess Mansa is regarded as the sister of the Shesha and Vasuki, the king of Nagas and wife of Jaratkaru.
Mansa Devi Temple can be reached via ropeway called Mansa Devi Udankhatola or walk uphill on feet. You have to walk for around one and half km on hill to reach temple. There are certain two wheel vehicle like bike or activa which you can use to reach to top of hill. Early morning time is preferable to trek uphill. You can also find several shop of water bottle and Shikanji as well. At top and ground, you can find shops to purchase Prasad to offer goddess Mansa Devi.
Mansa Devi ropeway ticket for individual is around 145 Rs and from ropeway you can enjoy the picturesque view of River Gange and Haridwar.
Best time to visit Mansa Devi Mandir is during the October to March and Navratri. Summer is quite hot here and it will be tough to walk during summer so devotee should avoid to visit during April and May.
How to Reach Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar, The Gate way of Supreme Lord, Uttarakhand, India
Mansa Devi temple is one the most popular and must visit pilgrimage site of Haridwar where thousands of devotee and tourist reaches around the year during their Haridwar tour. It is located just 2 km from Har ki Pauri, 3 km from railway station so devotee can easily reach via auto or private vehicle. Haridwar is one of the Sapt Puri – Seven holy pilgrimage of Sanatan Dharma which grants pilgrims with Moksha. Haridwar is very well connected with all the major cities of India via road, rail and air network. Haridwar has major railway junction which is well connected with all major cities across India. Also you can easily reach Haridwar via road network of national and state highway. Nearest airport from Haridwar is Jolly Grant Airport located in Dehradun, the capital of state of Uttarakhand at just 37 km from Haridwar. You can get flights to almost all cities of India from here. For local transport, Haridwar has a good public and private transport facility to reach any part of city easily. You can get taxi, auto rickshaw and now lots of e rickshaw also available to reach each temple of city. Haridwar is located at around 54 km from Dehradun, 30 km from Rishikesh – the Yoga capital of world, 90 km from Mussoorie, 240 km from Delhi, 190 km from UttarKashi and 203 km from Guptkashi.