Mansa Devi Temple

Mansa Devi Temple sits on Bilwa Parvat hill, one of the two principal temples overlooking Haridwar. The goddess Mansa Devi is a form of Shakti said to fulfil the desires of her devotees, and the temple is a major pilgrimage site for those seeking blessings. The view from the hilltop over the Ganges and the spread of the city is excellent.

A cable car (udan khatola) runs from the base to the temple — a useful option given the heat, though the walk is manageable. The temple is busiest during the Navratri festivals in spring and autumn, when queues can stretch for hours. Come early in the morning to avoid the worst of the crowds and to see the hill cloaked in mist.

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A story
"Mansa" means wish, and the temple is famous as a place where worshippers tie a thread to a tree to make a wish — returning to untie it once the wish is granted. The trees around the temple are covered in thousands of such threads, a visible record of prayers made and answered.

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