Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar: A Sacred Hindu Shrine

Context: A tragic stampede near the Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar recently resulted in the loss of eight lives and left 28 others injured.

About Mansa Devi Temple

• Mansa Devi Temple is a revered Hindu shrine dedicated to Goddess Mansa Devi, a manifestation of Shakti (Goddess Durga).
• It is situated in Haridwar, in the Indian state of Uttarakhand.
• The temple stands atop Bilwa Parvat, part of the Shivalik Hills, which are the southernmost range of the Himalayas.
• Also known as Bilwa Tirth, the temple is one of the Panch Tirth (Five Pilgrimage Sites) in Haridwar.
• It represents the age-old tradition of Shakti worship prevalent in North India.
• The present main structure was built between 1811 and 1815 by Maharaja Gopal Singh of Manimajra.
• The temple complex spans 100 acres and features traditional North Indian architecture.
• Apart from Mansa Devi, the temple also houses an idol of her sister, Goddess Chandi Devi, making it a dual shrine.

Significance of Mansa Devi Temple

Mansa Devi Temple is one of Haridwar’s three Siddhpeethas (places where wishes are said to be granted), along with the Chandi Devi and Maya Devi temples. “Mansa” in Sanskrit means “wish,” and people feel that the goddess grants their wishes. One of the common practices is devotees tying threads to one of the trees in the temple compound, which they cut off once their wishes have been granted.

How to Reach

Either through a picturesque ropeway (Udan Khatola) or a walking path with a trek of approximately 1.5 km uphill, the temple can be accessed. The ropeway offers a bird’s-eye view of Haridwar.

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