Har Ki Pauri, Haridwar — the main ghat on the Ganga
monument · 560 m away
temple11 min from Haridwar
Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar — the hilltop shrine and its ropeway
The Mansa Devi Temple crowns the Bilwa Parvat above Haridwar, one of the city's five pilgrim sites, reached on foot or by a 540 m ropeway. 11 minutes by road.
What it is
The Mansa Devi Temple stands on the summit of the Bilwa Parvat, a hill of the Shivalik range above Haridwar. It is dedicated to Mansa Devi, a form of Shakti. In the tradition Wikipedia reports she arose from Shiva's mind, and she is counted as the sister of the serpent Vasuki. The temple, also called Bilwa Tirth, is one of the five pilgrim sites of Haridwar and, in Wikipedia's account, one of three Siddh Peeths in the city.
Photos: DeeKayGangwar (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Dan Searle (CC BY-SA 2.0) — via Wikimedia Commons, resized.
Getting there
About 6 km and 11 minutes by road from Har Ki Pauri, by our routing, to the foot of the hill. From there pilgrims either climb on foot or ride the ropeway known as Mansa Devi Udankhatola, which Wikipedia says is 540 m long and covers a height of 178 m. We have not measured the walk, and we have no verified fares or ropeway timings, so ask at the lower station.
What you see
Inside, the shrine holds two images of the goddess: one with three heads and five arms, and one with eight arms. A tree in the temple is hung with threads that devotees knot while asking for a wish and undo once it is granted, according to Wikipedia. From the hilltop the Ganga and the town of Haridwar lie below, as the photograph in our gallery shows.
Know before you go
It is a working temple, and Wikipedia says alcohol and non-vegetarian food are not permitted in Haridwar. Dress modestly, ask before photographing worshippers, and expect long queues in the festival seasons.
Around it
Chandi Devi is the other hill temple, and Wikipedia says the pair are believed to stay close together. Har Ki Pauri is below, and the one-day plan joins them. Things to do in Haridwar lists every stop.
Plans that include this
All 2 plans that stop here →
Day plan · First visitTemples & heritage
One day in Haridwar — the hill temples and the evening aarti at Har Ki Pauri
A one-day Haridwar plan: the Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi hill temples by day, then the evening Ganga aarti at Har Ki Pauri. Free, copyable plan.
Best Feb–Mar · Oct–Nov
See the plan →
1 night · 2 days · First visitTemples & heritage
Two days in Haridwar — the ghat, Maya Devi, the hill temples and Kankhal
A two-day Haridwar plan: Har Ki Pauri, the Maya Devi and Mansa Devi temples on day one, then Kankhal and the Chandi Devi Temple on day two. Free, copyable plan.
Best Feb–Mar · Oct–Nov
See the plan →Nearby places
Maya Devi Temple, Haridwar — the old shrine of the city's goddess
temple · 937 m away
Chandi Devi Temple, Haridwar — the temple on the Neel Parvat
temple · 3.1 km away
Daksheswara Mahadev Temple, Kankhal — where the legend of Sati is placed
temple · 4.4 km away
Beatles Ashram, Rishikesh
temple · 22.1 km away
Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh
temple · 22.9 km away
Questions people ask
What is the Mansa Devi Temple?
A temple to the goddess Mansa Devi on top of the Bilwa Parvat, in the Shivalik hills above Haridwar, also called Bilwa Tirth and counted as one of the city's five pilgrim sites. Wikipedia says it is a Siddh Peeth, and that the inner shrine holds two images: one with three heads and five arms, one with eight arms.
How do you reach the Mansa Devi Temple?
On foot, or by the ropeway known as Mansa Devi Udankhatola, which Wikipedia says is 540 m long and climbs 178 m from the lower station. The temple is about 6 km and 11 minutes by road from Har Ki Pauri on our routing. We have no verified fares or timings, so ask at the station.
What do devotees do at the temple?
Wikipedia says devotees knot threads on a tree inside the temple as they ask for a wish, and undo them once it is granted. The goddess is offered coconuts, fruits, garlands and incense. Mansa means wish, and in the tradition she arose from the mind of Shiva.