Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar

Mansa Devi Temple, a popular religious site, is located at a distance of around 3 km from the city of Haridwar. The temple is dedicated to Mansa Devi, the brainchild of Saint Kashyap, who was a great saint in ancient Vedic time. The deity is the wife of Nag Vasuki, the king of serpents. The temple is perched on the crest of the Bilwa Parvat on the Shivalik Hills and has two idols of the deity. One of the idols has five arms and three mouths, while the other one features eight arms.

One of the 52 Shakti Peethas (the places of worship sanctified to the Hindu goddess Sati or Shakti), this temple is at the peak of the Siddha Peetha Triangle. The triangle is formed by the trio of Maya Devi, Chandi Devi and Mansa Devi temples. While visiting this temple, the devotees tie a thread around the sacred tree, praying the lord to fulfil their wishes. After the wish is fulfilled, it is necessary to untie the thread from the tree. Tourists can reach the temple by a cable car, which is popularly known as Devi Udankhatola.