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Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar
Goddess Mansa Devi • Haridwar, Uttarakhand
॥ ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः ॥
Mansa Devi Temple crowns the Bilwa Parvat above Haridwar, dedicated to the goddess whose name means ‘the granter of wishes’. One of the town’s three Siddhapeethas alongside Chandi and Maya Devi, the shrine is famous for the wish-threads that pilgrims tie and later untie on its sacred tree.
The goddess who grants wishes
Mansa Devi takes her name from the word mansa, meaning wish, and is honoured as the goddess who grants what the heart desires. Tradition says she arose from the mind of Shiva and is counted as the sister of the serpent Vasuki.
This serpent connection places her within a wider body of goddess lore tied to nagas and to the granting of boons. At Haridwar she is approached above all as a giver of wishes, a role that defines the way pilgrims come to her.
The wish-threads on the sacred tree
The custom most associated with Mansa Devi is the tying of threads on a sacred tree within the temple. A devotee ties a thread while making a wish, and the act binds the prayer to the goddess.
Once the wish is felt to have been granted, the devotee returns to untie the same thread, completing the vow. The tree hung with countless threads is one of the temple’s defining sights, a visible record of the prayers carried here.
- Tie a thread while making a wish
- Return to untie it once the wish is granted
- The tree hangs thick with devotees’ threads
One of Haridwar’s three Siddhapeethas
Mansa Devi is one of the three Siddhapeethas of Haridwar, together with Chandi Devi and Maya Devi. Pilgrims often take all three darshans, treating them as a set that completes a visit to the town.
Her temple crowns the Bilwa Parvat, a hill rising above the Ganga and the ghats. The height gives wide views over Haridwar and over the river that draws pilgrims to the town.
The ropeway and the sanctum
A ropeway, locally known as the udan khatola, carries pilgrims from the town up to the hilltop temple, sparing those who wish it the steep climb. Many still walk the path up through the trees.
Inside, the sanctum holds two idols of the goddess, the focus of darshan at the summit. The combination of the climb or ride, the views and the wish-tree makes Mansa Devi one of Haridwar’s most visited shrines.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Mansa Devi mean?
The name comes from the word mansa, meaning wish, so Mansa Devi is ‘the goddess who grants wishes’. She is a form of Shakti said to have arisen from the mind of Shiva. Tradition also names her as the sister of the serpent Vasuki.
What is the wish-thread custom at Mansa Devi?
Devotees tie a thread on a sacred tree in the temple while making a wish, binding the prayer to the goddess. Once the wish is felt to have been granted, they return to untie the same thread, completing the vow. The tree hung with countless threads is one of the temple’s defining sights.
How do you reach Mansa Devi Temple?
The temple crowns the Bilwa Parvat above Haridwar and can be reached by a ropeway, locally called the udan khatola, that carries pilgrims to the summit. Those who prefer can walk the path up through the trees. The hilltop gives wide views over Haridwar and the Ganga.
Is Mansa Devi a Siddhapeetha?
Yes, Mansa Devi is one of the three Siddhapeethas of Haridwar, together with Chandi Devi and Maya Devi. Pilgrims often take all three darshans as a set. Together they are treated as completing a visit to the town.
What is inside the Mansa Devi sanctum?
The sanctum holds two idols of the goddess, which are the focus of darshan at the summit. The shrine sits at the top of the Bilwa Parvat above the Ganga. The setting and the wish-tree make it one of Haridwar’s most visited temples.
How is Mansa Devi linked to Vasuki?
Tradition counts Mansa Devi as the sister of the serpent Vasuki and says she arose from the mind of Shiva. The serpent connection places her within a wider body of goddess lore tied to nagas and the granting of boons. At Haridwar she is worshipped above all as a granter of wishes.
॥ जय माता दी ॥ • Bhaktiras.net Temple Guide
| Deity | Mansa Devi |
| Meaning | Granter of wishes (mansa = wish) |
| Location | Haridwar, Uttarakhand |
| Hill | Bilwa Parvat |
| Status | One of Haridwar’s three Siddhapeethas |
| With | Chandi Devi & Maya Devi |
| Custom | Wish-threads on a sacred tree |
| Access | Ropeway (udan khatola) |
| Sanctum | Two idols of the goddess |