Mansa Devi Temple

This is the most famous and most visited temple of Haridwar. The temple of Mansa Devi is perched on a hilltop, the hill is known as the Bilwa hill. An ancient temple, it is one of the Siddhpeeths in Himalayas. It is said that the naval and heart of Sati fell here. To reach the temple, one can either go by ropeway or take a trek upto the shrine. Either way, it is an enjoyable journey.

The Mansa Devi temple has just not been the abode of Goddess Mansa but it was also a cultural center for the expression of creativity too .The tradition of covering interior temple walls with murals dates almost from the birth of civilisation, and it can be seen as the highest form of truly indigenous creative expression. Indian mythology abounds in interesting anecdotes relating to Hindu gods and goddesses, and their human incarnations. This is lyrically traced in the rich murals which relate episodes from the great epics, the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and popular puranas.

The Krishna legend, scenes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, illustrations of the Durga with all its usual verve and exuberance, Shiva and Vishnu legends, the Ganesh stuti, etc., form the themes of these wall paintings. A large circumambulatory passage) surrounds the main temple and is bounded by corridor around the garbhagrihal (sanctum sanctorum) and on this entire stretch of the walls surrounding the garbhagriha the walls paintings are also there.

The murals embellishing the walls of Mansa Devi temple depicts themes from the Puranas and epics as well navgrahas and nakshtras. These murals provided a brief over view of religious tradition and mythology to the devotees young and old. And that over view is just like a Picture book depicting the story of LordRama, Lord Krishna, Lord shiva, Mother Goddess i.e. Durga,Kali and its other form to the devotees visiting the temple. Murals depicting important episodes from the life and character of popular Gods and Mother Goddess decorate the corridors of countless temples across India and even grace dharamshalas public halls and private homes reflecting these epic themes throughout the land. The murals were painted between 1811-1817 by artist Angad, a painter from Sirmaur under the royal patronage.