Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi Temples, Haridwar: Ropeway, Trek and Timings

Two goddesses look down on Haridwar from the Shivalik hills. Mansa Devi stands on Bilwa Parvat, the hill directly above Har Ki Pauri, and Chandi Devi on Neel Parvat across the Ganga. Both can be reached by ropeway in minutes or on foot by a path of about 3 km, and with an early start you can have darshan at both in one morning. Together with Maya Devi in the old town they are honoured as the three Siddh Peeths of Haridwar, where wishes are believed to be fulfilled. This guide covers the legends, the ropeways and walking routes, timings and how to plan around the Kumbh Mela of 2027.

Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi at a glance

Mansa Devi temple

Mansa Devi is worshipped as a form of Shakti who emerged from the mind of Lord Shiva; her name means the goddess who fulfils the wishes of the mind. The inner shrine has two images of the goddess, one with eight arms and one with three heads and five arms. Pilgrims tie a red thread on the tree in the temple courtyard with a wish, and many return to untie it once the wish is fulfilled.

Because the temple stands right above Har Ki Pauri, the view from the top takes in the ghats, the clock tower and the Ganga splitting into its channels below. The lower ropeway station is near the main bazaar on Upper Road, a short walk from Har Ki Pauri.

Chandi Devi temple

Chandi Devi stands on Neel Parvat on the eastern bank of the Ganga. Tradition says the goddess killed the demon chiefs Chanda and Munda and then the demon kings Shumbha and Nishumbha, and rested on this hill afterwards. The main image is believed to have been installed by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century, while the present temple was built in 1929 by Raja Suchat Singh of Kashmir. On the way up or down, many pilgrims also stop at the small temple of Anjana Devi, mother of Hanuman, nearby on the same hill.

Ropeway or trek?

• Ropeway (Udan Khatola): a ride of a few minutes each way in small cabins. The ropeways usually run from about 7 am into the evening, with Chandi Devi closing earlier than Mansa Devi. Timings and fares change with the season, so check at the counter. Ask about the combined ticket if you plan to do both.
• On foot: both paths are about 3 km with steps and steady climbs, roughly 45 minutes to an hour up for a reasonably fit walker. Start early in summer, carry water and wear shoes with grip.
• For elderly parents: the ropeway is the sensible choice. There are still some steps from the upper station to the shrine.

Doing both in one morning

1. 7 am: take the Mansa Devi ropeway from Upper Road. Darshan and the view over Har Ki Pauri.
2. 9 am: come down and take an auto or taxi across the Ganga to the Chandi Devi ropeway, about 4 to 5 km.
3. 10 am: ropeway up to Chandi Devi, darshan, and Anjana Devi if you have time.
4. Around noon: back to the city for lunch. On busy days add an hour or two for queues.

Add Maya Devi, the third Siddh Peeth, in the old town near Har Ki Pauri on the same day or the next. Many count Maya Devi among the Shakti Peethas; our Shakti Peeth list explains how the different lists compare.

Visiting during the Kumbh Mela 2027

The Kumbh Mela in Haridwar runs from 14 January to 20 April 2027, and both ropeways see long queues on snan days and weekends. On the Amrit Snans of 6 March, 8 March and 14 April 2027, traffic in the city is restricted and getting between the two temples is slow. Plan Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi for an ordinary weekday of the mela, go at opening time, and keep the snan day for the ghat. Our Haridwar Kumbh trip plan fits both temples into day 2 of a 3-day visit.

Practical tips

• Leave large bags at your hotel; space in the cabins and on the hilltop is limited.
• Prasad, chunri and threads are sold at both temples. Buy at fixed-price shops and politely decline anyone pressing you to pay for special puja.
• Monkeys are bold on both hills. Keep food and spectacles out of reach.
• Navratri brings very large crowds to both temples; go on a weekday morning if you can.

Add Haridwar's goddesses to your yatra

Haridwar is the starting point for the Himalayan yatras, and a morning at Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi fits easily before the drive north. Our Do Dham Yatra from Haridwar and Char Dham Yatra from Haridwar start here. Coming for the Kumbh? See Kumbh camps and hotels compared and the evening Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri.