Mansa Devi

Oct 15, 2024
21 o C
Feels like: 21 o C. Clear.
Humidity: 70 %

mansa devi
mansa devi
mansa devi
mansa devi
mansa devi
mansa devi
mansa devi
mansa devi

About

Dedicated to Goddess Mansa, the Mansa Devi Temple is located in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. Situated atop Bilwa Parvat in the Shivalik Hills, the temple is one of the 51 Siddh Peeth and sacred sites listed among the Haridwar Panch Tirth. “Mansa” means “wish”, and it is believed that the deity fulfills wishes of all devotees. To symbolise their wishes, worshippers tie a thread onto the branch of a tree in the temple courtyard. Once a devotee's wish is fulfilled, they untie this thread from the tree and bow down before the deity. In her human incarnation, deity is revered as the daughter of Lord Shiva, sister of Shesha and Vasuki, who are the king of serpents (Nagas). She is also the wife of Jaratkaru and mother of Astika.

Being the sister of Nagas, she is highly regarded as Vishahari, the destroyer of poison. From Haridwar main city, Mansa Devi Temple is located around 4 km, easily accessible by availing local transportation service. However, to reach the shrine pilgrims can either use ropeway service or can do a short trek, which can be easily covered within an hour. The ropeway length is around 540 meters and is considered to be an ideal mode to reach the shrine. Ropeway provides the enchanting and picturesque view of the Haridwar and Ganges. Inside the shrine, there are two idols of the deity, one with eight arms and other with three heads and five arms.

Usually, the deity's upper right hand holds a Conch (Shankh), and the left hand with lotus flower. She also holds a snake in one hand, while the other hand is kept in the Varada Mudra. Mansa Devi is one of the three Siddh Peeth that fulfils worshippers' desires, with Chandi Devi and Maya Devi Temple are the other Siddh Peeth. The temple is linked with several folklore, one of them is a girl named Mansa, unaware of her truth, decided to meet Lord Shiva for answers after getting no response from his guardians. She started penance for years, seeking his devotion Lord Shiva appears.

Upon seeing shiva she learned the truth of herself. Post learning the truth, she receives power to work for the welfare of the world. That’s why she is known for fulfilling worshippers' wishes. Usually pilgrims offer Prasad, coconuts, red chunari, makeup kit (Shringar Daan), fruits, incense sticks etc. Deity is worshipped in many states; including Jharkhand, Bihar, Bengal, South of Assam, Uttarakhand and Northeastern India for protection from snakebite, fertility and prosperity.

As per the mythologist belief, the eldest son of King Pandu Yudhishthira visited this temple and worshipped the deity before the commencement of Mahabharata. Mahabharata also reads the story of Mansa marriage. After performing austerities the sage Jaratkaru decided not to marry. One day, when he was passing through a forest, found a group of people (all males) hanging upside down from a tree.

After knowing, sage gets to know that these men are his ancestors who have been doomed by their children and didn’t perform their last rites. They persuaded Jaratkaru to marry so that his son can free them with their miseries. Vasuki offered his sister Mansa’s hand to Jaratkaru. Mansa gave birth to Astika, who later freed the Jaratkaru ancestor from their miseries.

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