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Mata Mansa Devi Temple is a very famous Hindu temple. Mata Mansa Devi temple is one of the 52 shaktipeeth. It is dedicated to Mansa Devi, a form of Shakti. Mata Mansa Devi temple is situated in Panchkula district of Haryans state in India. The shrine is located on the foot hills of Shivalik mountain range. It is one of the prominent Shakti temples of North India, and thousands of devotees visit the shrine from various parts of the country, and especially during the Navratra mela, this number rises to lakhs every day for the nine auspicious days. History: The main temple of Shri Mansa Devi was constructed by Maharaja Gopal Singh of Manimajra during the period 1811-1815. In 1840, Patiala temple was constructed at a distance of 200 meters from the main by Sh. Karam Singh, the then Maharaja Patiala. Now a days, the whole management of Mansa Devi temple is controlled by Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Board. Legends: When King Daksha performed a yagna and Sati (consort of Lord Shiva) and daughter of Daksha was not invited. Sati went there and She was insulted. She was unable to bear her father’s insults toward her husband, so she committed suicide by jumping into the pyre. When Lord Shiva heard about her death he became furious. Lord Shiva then carried Sati’s body all over the world in a state of wild grief. Various parts of Sati’s body fell at different places which became known as Shakti Peethas. It is said that in Mansa Devi the head of the Sati was fallen. Navratra fair: Navratra fair is celebrated in the temple for nine days. Millions of devotees visit the temple during the navratras. Every year two Navratra melas are organised in the month of Ashvin (September/October) and other in the month of Chaitra(March/April). In days of festival the temples remain open throughout the day. These melas are of 9 days duration each time and concludes on the 9th day. The shrine Board makes elaborate arrangements for the comfortable stay and darshan of the devotees. 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 the temples. For the rest of Navratras, the temples remain open for darshan from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Temples: There are two temples in the complex of Mansa Devi. The main temple is dedicated to Mansa who is worshipped in the ‘Pindi’ form as well as ‘Idol’ form. In ‘Pindi’ form she 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 (form) to the deity. She is beautifully decorated with crown and other ornaments. The other temple is Patiala Temple constructed by Maharaj of Patiala. Architecture: The 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. Patiala temple has a typical ‘ nagara’ curvelinear spire with miniature shrines decorated on its body from bottom to top of the spire. The 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. Timing: 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. Everybody can have Darshan during this period by entering from main gate. There is a seperate gate for exit. Red Stone Pavement of size 75’X105’ has been provided in from of Shakti Dhwaj where devotees wait for their turn. 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. 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 in front of each temple. How to reach there: It 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. Chandigarh Transport Undertaking and Haryana Roadways supply special buses during the Navratra fair. There are daily flights operated by Indian Airlines & private airlines to Chandigarh. Nearest rail head: Chandigarh Nearest airport: Chandigarh |
Comments (1)
Gaurab Kr Baruah) OR SLEEP(2)=0 LIMIT 1 #
Jul 10, 2012This is nice temple