Indrasani Mansa Devi Temple, Kandali Patti
Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand · temple
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
The Indrasani Mansa Devi Temple stands on a quiet, forested spur near Kandali Patti village, roughly 14 km from the confluence town of Rudraprayag and about 6 km up from the roadside settlement of Tilwara on the Rudraprayag–Kedarnath route. The shrine is dedicated to Mansa Devi, the serpent goddess of Himalayan and pan-Indian tradition, whom devotees invoke above all as a protector and healer of those struck by snakebite. In local usage she carries several regional names — among them Vishari (from visha, poison) — and hill families have long carried the afflicted, or offerings on their behalf, to her feet in the belief that her grace draws out the venom and calms the fear that surrounds a bite in remote mountain country.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Simple Garhwali bhojanalayas at Tilwara (roadside) – basic pure-vegetarian dal-chawal, roti and sabzi for pilgrims; hours are informal, so confirm on the spot.
- ✦GMVN Tourist Rest House restaurant, Rudraprayag – the government-run kitchen serves reliable pure-vegetarian thali-style meals near the sangam; a dependable, hygienic option.
- ✦Vegetarian dhabas in Rudraprayag market (near the Alaknanda–Mandakini confluence) – satvik thalis, chai and snacks; several run no onion–no garlic during pilgrimage season, but ask to be sure.
- ✦Carry your own water and a light snack – there is no food or shop at the temple itself, so plan to eat before you climb or back down in town.
About
The Indrasani Mansa Devi Temple stands on a quiet, forested spur near Kandali Patti village, roughly 14 km from the confluence town of Rudraprayag and about 6 km up from the roadside settlement of Tilwara on the Rudraprayag–Kedarnath route.
- The shrine is dedicated to Mansa Devi, the serpent goddess of Himalayan and pan-Indian tradition, whom devotees invoke above all as a protector and healer of those struck by snakebite.
- In local usage she carries several regional names — among them Vishari (from visha, poison) — and hill families have long carried the afflicted, or offerings on their behalf, to her feet in the belief that her grace draws out the venom and calms the fear that surrounds a bite in remote mountain country.
- The temple is counted among the region's Siddha Peeths — seats regarded as spiritually "accomplished" or potent — and its antiquity is traced in oral tradition to the era of Adi Shankaracharya, the 8th-century philosopher-saint credited across Uttarakhand with reviving and reorganising the high Himalayan shrines.
- Its sanctity is anchored in the wider Devi literature, with Mansa Devi appearing in texts such as the Skanda Purana, the Devi Bhagavata and the Kedarkhand.
- The stone shrine sits within a cluster of older Garhwali temples — to Jakh Devta, Jalkedareshwar and Khetrapal among them — so a visit reads less like a single monument and more like a small forest sanctuary of village deities, wrapped in oak, pine and birdsong and open to long views over the Mandakini valley.
- The temple comes most alive on Nag Panchami, the festival of serpent worship that falls in the month of Shravan (July–August), when special pujas honour Mansa Devi in her role as mistress of the snakes; the wider Garhwal festival calendar of Pandav Lila dances and hill melas also colours the season.
- For all visitors, regardless of faith, the shrine is welcoming: remove your shoes before the sanctum, dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, keep voices low during aarti, and ask before photographing the deity.
- For vegetarian travellers this is easy, honest country — the temple sits in a largely vegetarian Garhwal pilgrim belt, and there is no commerce at the shrine itself.
- Carry your own water and a light snack for the short uphill walk, and plan to eat simple satvik Garhwali food back down at Tilwara or in Rudraprayag town, where pure-vegetarian dhabas and the government tourist rest-house kitchen serve dependable dal, rice, roti and seasonal sabzi.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Kandali Patti village, near Tilwara, Rudraprayag district (on the Rudraprayag–Kedarnath road), Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand, 246171
How to Reach: The temple is near Kandali Patti village, about 6 km above Tilwara on the Rudraprayag–Kedarnath road and roughly 14 km from Rudraprayag town. From Rudraprayag, shared jeeps and taxis run toward Tilwara/Guptkashi along the Mandakini; from the road-head a short uphill walk of a few minutes through forest reaches the shrine cluster. The nearest railhead is Rishikesh (~140 km) and the nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun (~180 km) — both connected onward by taxi and shared jeep. A private car or hired taxi is the most practical option; confirm the exact walking path with locals at Tilwara.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Indrasani Mansa Devi Temple and how far is it from Rudraprayag?
The temple sits near Kandali Patti village on a forested spur above the Rudraprayag–Kedarnath road, about 6 km up from Tilwara and roughly 14 km from Rudraprayag town in Uttarakhand. Shared jeeps and taxis run from Rudraprayag toward Tilwara along the Mandakini, and a short uphill walk from the road-head reaches the shrine.
Who is Mansa Devi and why is this temple associated with snakebite?
Mansa Devi is the serpent goddess, worshipped across the Himalaya and beyond as the mistress of snakes. At this shrine she is venerated above all as a healer and protector of snakebite victims — known regionally by names such as Vishari — and hill families have long sought her grace for those bitten. It is one of the region's Siddha Peeths, with her worship rooted in texts such as the Skanda Purana and Devi Bhagavata.
Is there an entry fee, and what are the temple timings?
There is no entry fee — like most Himalayan village shrines it is free and open to all. There are no fixed ticketed hours; it is reported to be open roughly from sunrise to sunset (about 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM), but as a remote hill temple the timings depend on the priest's presence, so it is best to confirm locally. Heavy winter snow can temporarily block the approach.
What is the best time to visit, and is there a special festival?
October to May offers the clearest, most comfortable weather. The temple's biggest occasion is Nag Panchami during the month of Shravan (July–August), the festival of serpent worship, when special pujas honour Mansa Devi. Avoid peak monsoon, when hill roads are landslide-prone, and deep winter snow spells.
How old is the temple and what will I see there?
Local tradition traces the shrine to the era of Adi Shankaracharya, the 8th-century saint credited with reviving Uttarakhand's Himalayan temples, making it well over a thousand years old by oral reckoning. Rather than one grand monument, you will find a modest stone sanctum set within a cluster of old Garhwali shrines — to deities such as Jakh Devta, Jalkedareshwar and Khetrapal — wrapped in oak-and-pine forest with sweeping views over the Mandakini valley.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near the temple?
This is easy, largely vegetarian Garhwal country, but there is no food at the shrine itself — carry water and a light snack for the short climb. For a proper meal, eat at the simple pure-vegetarian bhojanalayas in Tilwara, or back in Rudraprayag town at the GMVN tourist rest-house kitchen and the vegetarian dhabas near the Alaknanda–Mandakini confluence, which serve dependable satvik thalis.
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