Mata Mansa Devi Mandir Panchkula

Shrine’s History

Maharaja Gopal Singh of Mani Majra constructed the present main temple of Shri Mansa Devi, which is situated on the Shivalik foothills in village Bilaspur, Tehsil and District Panchkula, during the period 1811?1815. At a distance of 200 meters from the main temple is the Patiala temple which was constructed by Karam Singh, a Sikh, the then Maharaja Patiala in the year 1840. This temple had the patronage of Manimajra Princely State. After the merger of Princely states into PEPSU the Patronage of State Govt. ended and the temples remained neglected. The Raja of Manimajra then appointed pujari as khidmatuzar to serve this temple whose duty was to worship the deity of the temple. After the merger of princely State into PEPSU, these pujaris became independent in the matter of controlling and managing the affairs of the temple and the land attached to the temple. They could neither maintain this temple nor provide necessary facilities to the visiting devotees and thus the condition of the temple deteriorated day by day.

So much so that there were no proper arrangements for pilgrims visiting the temple during Navaratra melas. As a result, the Government of Haryana took over the temple and set up the Shri Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Board (SMMDSB) Panchkula trust to manage the temple. The complex was in awfully neglected condition until the establishment of the Board.

Architectural Relevance of This Shrine

Architecturally, the temple has been built in Panchayatana pattern with four projections or transected parts on its four sides bearing semi-pyramidal conical spires on the tops. These are called shikkars or conical shapes on the main domes. The main shrine being located the centre. The main temple is dedicated to Mansa who is worshipped in the sanctum sanctorum both in the form of pindi as well as in her anthropomorphic form executed on a marble. In the sanctum, the Devi is worshipped with Devi Saraswati and Lakshmi in the form of Pindi . Originally the pindis were only worshipped by the devotees. However, in modern times a marble bust of the deity was got sculpted for giving an attractive human look to the deity. A garden that is beautifully adorned with sacred plants adjoins the Mansa Devi mandir. Devotees from all over the world visit this temple to pay homage to the Goddess. Navratri time sees a lot of fairs that are organised in the areas surrounding the Mansa Devi Temple. The temple complex and its environment are presently looked after by Shri Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Board Panchkula which is a trust.

In view of the popularity of the temple for its mythological and historical significance and also for fulfilling the wishes of the lakhs of devotees thronging to the complex, the Government of Haryana by an enactment christened as Shri Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Act 1991 took over the control of this temple to provide for better infrastructure development, management, administration and governance of Shri Mata Mansa Devi Shrine and its endowments including lands and buildings attached to the Shrine. A Shrine Board with Chief Minister of Haryana as Chairman was constituted for running of the Temple and preserving the heritage of the region.

Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There

By Road

The Temple is located at a distance of about 10 km from the Chandigarh bus terminus and 4 km from the Panchkula bus terminus, the Mansa Devi temple can be reached by local buses or autorickshaws. The Chandigarh Transport Undertaking and even the Haryana Roadways have special buses during the Navratra fair.

By Rail

The nearest Railway station is Chandigarh.

By Air

The nearest Airports is Chandigarh

Shrine Timings

Summer Timings: 4 AM to 10 PM Winter Timings: 5AM to 9 PM

Events Celebrated at This Shrine

Navratri