✍️ By Rahul Goyal · Chandigarh Life
Quick answer: Shri Mata Mansa Devi Temple, Panchkula, is one of the region’s most important Shakti Peeths and the tricity’s biggest Navratri draw, run by the Shri Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Board. The temple holds two Navratra melas a year — Chaitra (spring; 2026: 19–27 March) and Sharad (autumn; 2026: 11–19 October, aligned with the citywide Navratri calendar) — drawing lakhs of devotees, with waits of several hours common at peak times.
Our main Navratri in Chandigarh guide lists Mansa Devi as the top pick among the tricity’s Navratri temples — this page goes deeper into what actually happens at the temple itself during the nine nights, so you know what to expect before you go.
About the Temple
Shri Mata Mansa Devi Temple sits in village Bilaspur, near Mani Majra, in Panchkula, Haryana — about 10 km from Chandigarh, at the foot of the Shivalik hills. The complex spans roughly 100 acres and is managed by the Shri Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Board, which also runs two other temples in the same network: Shri Kali Mata Mandir, Kalka, and Shri Chandi Mata Mandir, Chandimandir — all three hold their Navratra melas simultaneously.
Two Navratra Melas a Year
Unlike temples that mark only the autumn Navratri, Mansa Devi holds a full nine-night mela twice a year:
| Mela | 2026 Dates |
|---|---|
| Chaitra Navratra Mela (spring) | 19–27 March 2026 |
| Sharad Navratra Mela (autumn) | 11–19 October 2026 |
The autumn Sharad mela is the bigger of the two, falling in the same nine-night window (Ghatasthapana to Maha Navami) as Navratri across the rest of the tricity, with Vijayadashami on 20 October 2026. The Shrine Board announces exact gate timings, special-darshan arrangements and any queue changes closer to each mela — it’s worth checking their official channels in the days just before you go rather than relying on a fixed schedule.
Crowds & Timings
Mansa Devi is consistently the tricity’s single biggest Navratri draw. In past years, day-one footfall on the first day of a Navratra mela has been reported anywhere from roughly 84,000 to as high as 4 lakh devotees, depending on the year and day of the week — treat these as illustrative of the scale rather than a fixed annual number. Waits of four to five hours for darshan are commonly reported during peak mela days, so plan accordingly:
- Darshan hours are typically extended through the mela, generally from around 5 AM to 10 PM — confirm current timings with the Shrine Board close to your visit, since they can shift.
- Weekday mornings and late evenings tend to be less crowded than weekend evenings.
- Parking and access arrangements are managed by Panchkula Police and the Shrine Board specifically for mela days.
Getting There
The temple is about 10 km from central Chandigarh, in Panchkula near Mani Majra — easily reached by road from anywhere in the tricity. During Navratra melas, expect traffic and parking restrictions on the approach roads; allow extra time if you’re driving in during evening hours.
FAQ’s
How many Navratra melas does Mansa Devi Temple hold each year?
Two — the Chaitra Navratra Mela in spring (2026: 19–27 March) and the Sharad Navratra Mela in autumn (2026: 11–19 October), each spanning the traditional nine nights.
How far is Mansa Devi Temple from Chandigarh?
About 10 km, in village Bilaspur near Mani Majra, Panchkula, Haryana.
How crowded does Mansa Devi get during Navratri?
Very — it is the tricity’s single biggest Navratri draw, with waits of 4-5 hours for darshan common on peak mela days. First-day footfall has been reported from roughly 84,000 to 4 lakh devotees in past years, depending on the year.
What other temples does the Mansa Devi Shrine Board manage?
The Shri Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Board also manages Shri Kali Mata Mandir, Kalka, and Shri Chandi Mata Mandir, Chandimandir — all three hold their Navratra melas at the same time.
