Mansa Devi Temple situated on top of Bilva Parvat (Bilva Mountain), Haridwar. Bilva Parvat is part of Shivalik Hill the southernmost chain of the Himalayas. It is one of the Five Teerth situated in Haridwar. The other Teerth’s in Haridwar are  Gangadvara (Har-Ki-Pauri), Kushvart Ghat, Kankhal, Neel Parvat.

Bilva Parvat is the abode of Shakti Mansa Devi.   Traditionally she was a Tribal Goddess, having her origin from the Manaschakshu (Inner eyes of Heart of Lord Shiva) born from Sage Kashyapa and Sadhvi Kadru. She had been mentioned greatly in Prakriti Khanda of Brahma Vairvarta Purana, Manasamangal Kavya and they have called her by many names Mula Manasa, Manasa Chaksu, Jagatkaru Priya, Jagat Gauri, Mansa Devi, Sidh Yogini, Padmavati, Naag Bhaamini, Shaivi, Jaratkaaru, Aastik Mata, Maha Gyaan Yuktaa, Naageshwari, Vish Haar, Maa Monosha, Mari, Maariamma, Amman, Surasa and Naga Mata.

Sage Kashyapa married Manasa to Sage Jaratkaru, who agreed to marry her on the condition that he would leave her if she disobeyed him. Once, when Jaratkaru was awakened by Manasa, he became upset with her because she awakened him too late for worship, and so he deserted her. On the request of the great Hindu gods, Jaratkaru returned to Manasa and she gave birth to Astika, their son.

Manasa Devi traditionally worshipped without image or idol, for she is part of nature thus the form takes branch of tree, earthen pot and mud snake. Traditionally it is believed that she  helps protect people from smallpox, chicken pox. She is also considered as Goddess of Fertility, marriage, and Prosperity.

Manasa Devi is worshiped greatly in Bengal, Bangladesh, Assam.

It was a wonderful walk and a beautiful climb to Manasa Devi Temple at Haridwar

~ Maitreya Rudrabhayananda