Mansa Devi Mata Tourist Guide - Panchkula

Mata Mansa Devi temple dedicated to goddess Mansa Devi, a form of Shakti, Temple is located in the Panchkula district of Haryana state in India. The temple complex is spread across 100 acres in Shivalik foothills in village Bilaspur, near Mani Majra, and Panchkula, 10 km from Chandi Mandir, Famous Devi Temple just outside Chandigarh.

Mata Mansa Devi Temple is one of the prominent Shakti Peeth of North India. Thousands of devotees visit the shrine from all over the country especially during the Navratra mela, pilgrims come in lakhs to seek blessings from devi mata ji during nine auspicious days.

Inside Mansa Devi Temple

Inside Mansa Devi temple complex, there are two temples, The main temple is dedicated to Mansa who is worshipped in the sanctum sanctorum both in the form of ‘pindi’ as well as Marble Statue. She is worshipped along with Devi Saraswati and Lakshmi in the form of Pindi. Originally the pindis were only worshipped by the devotees.

Interesting Architecture of Mansa Devi Temple

The architecture of the main temple has mughal features but this temple has a covered 'Parikarma', which is a salient features of Hindu art & architecture. Patiala temple on the other hand has Hindu features in its architecture, but it has an open Parikarma, which is in marked departure from the traditional Hindu architecture.

The architecture of the main temple (Mansa Devi) is not according to typical temples architecture of Himachal Shaktipeeths, Temple has a typical mogul architecture & has domes and minarets. Temple has been built in Panchayatana pattern in which at four cardinal corners stand four shrines with the main shrine (fifth shrine) being located the centre. All the five temples show four minarets at four corners with a cupola on its top. The domes are onion shaped and stand on an elongated circulator drum. The facade of the temple shows miniature vaulted alcoves.

In sharp contrast to the Mansa Devi temple, Patiala temple has a typical ‘ nagara’ curvelinear spire with miniature shrines decorated on its body from bottom to top of the spire. This architectural a style definitely goes in consonance with the shivalik background. The colossal temple is built in pancharatha style with four projections or transected parts on its four sides bearing semi pyramidal conical spires on the tops. These are called 'shikkars' or cronical shapes on the main domes.

In the sanctorum the Mansa Devi is worshipped in its anthropomorphic form sculpted on marble. The bust is enshrined in a silver plated small vaulted shrine showing a beautiful decoration of silver embossing works throughout the body of the miniature vaulted shrine. Here also the pindi (stone) is worshipped along with the marble bust.

Mansa Devi Temple Timinings

The temple remains open from 4-00 A.M. to 10-00 P.M. in the summer and from 5-00 A.M. to 9-00 P.M. in the winter. Every body can have Darshan during this period by entering from main gate. Brass railing from Shakti Dhwaj to Ardh Mandap has been laid so that devotees may enter the temple in two queues and have easy Darshan without any difficulty of rush.

Mansa Devi Prasad

The devotees are allowed to bring packed parshad in the mandir. The Parshad so offered by the devotees is placed in the feet of the deity and returned to the devotees. Offering in kind is poured in the Dan Pater placed infront of each temple.

Staying Arrangements and Dharamshalas in Mansa Devi Temple

The shrine has one Dharamshala consisting of 30 rooms and one hall which are available to the pilgrims free of any charge. Blankets are also provided free of charge. Besides this the Board has constructed another Dharamshala called Lajwanti Dharamshala Consisting of 15 rooms, These rooms are having modern facilities such as attached toilets where in geysers have been provided and the rooms are air cooled Each room has been provided with double bed with mattresses pillows, bed sheets and blankets, one table, two chairs and one almirah. For the proper upkeep of this Dharamshala a nominal charge of Rs. 200/- per day is charged.

Haryana Tourism Accomodation - Mansa Devi

Besides this Haryana Tourism Corporation has also constructed a Yatrika “called Jatayu” just at a distance of 50 yards from Temple which provides dormitory type accommodation and facilities of restaurant to the pilgrims. Each room has been provided with attached toilet and each room has four beds.

Mansa Devi Mela

Shardiya Navratra mela are organized at the shrine complex during chaitra and Ashvin months. Every year two Navratra melas are organised in the month of Aswin (Shardiya) [Winter Navratra] and other in the month of Chaitra [Spring Navratra] by the Shrine Board.

Lakhs of devotees pay obeisance during the navratra mela held in Ashwin and Chaiter and temples remain open through out the day. These melas are of 9 days duration each time and concludes on 9th day.

The shrine Board makes elaborate arrangements for the comfortable stay and darshan of the devotees. The board makes arrangements for the provision of Chhowldari, tented accommodation, durries, blankets, temporary toilets, temporary dispensaries, mela police post and lines. During the mela, Duty Magistrates and Nodal Officers are appointed to look after the devotees and smooth conduct of the mela.

On the 7th and 8th day of Navratras, the temples of Shrine Complex are closed only for two hours during the night for cleaning/ maintenance of temples. For the rest of Navratras, the temples remain open for darshan from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Mansa Devi - Bhandara

Three bhandaras (voluntary free kitchen) are functioning in the shrine complex. The Board does not run any Bhandara on its own. However three Bhandaras are being run in the temple complex by three registered bodies.. These Bhandaras provide food to the pilgrims without any charge.During Navratra Melas more Bhandaras are arranged by private parties with the permission of the Board.