Mansi Ganga Temple — Attraction in Uttar Pradesh

This most sacred lake is the largest of all kundas and is situated right in the heart of Govardhan town. The waters of Manasi-ganga are said to be non-different from the Ganges itself. In fact it is considered to be even better. One who bathes in the river Ganges is purified of all sins, but one who bathes in Manasi-ganga is not only purified of sins, but will also achieve prema-bhakti, the highest platform of pure loving devotion to Krishna.

“Once a demon sent by Kamsa to kill Krishna assumed the form of a calf and hid amongst the cattle herds of Krishna. When Krishna realized this He killed the demon. But because He had killed the demon when he was in the form of a calf, the cowherd boys refused to play with Krishna, and asked Krishna to bathe in the Ganges to purify Himself. Not wanting to leave Vraja, Krishna meditated upon the Ganga within His mind (Manasi) and she manifested before Him in the form of Manasi-ganga. Krishna then took bath in the waters of Manasi-ganga to the delight of His cowherd friends.

Krishna revealed to the residents of Vrindavan that Manasi Ganga situated near Govardhan is non-different from Ganga. “One day Nanda Maharaj and the cowherd men heard the glories of Ganga: Once Garuda was carrying a snake in his claws and was flying over Ganga, when accidentally the tail of the snake touched the waters of Ganga and the snake immediately transformed to a four handed form of the residents of Vaikuntha. Amazed, Garuda then placed that divine being on his back and took him to Vaikuntha.

Hearing this pastime, Nanda Maharaj and the others desired to go to the Ganges and take bath in her. But Krishna stopped them and explained that all the holy places resided in Vrindavan, and therefore there was no need to go out of Vrindavan. He took them to Manasi Ganga. At that point, Mother Ganga personally came out on her crocodile. When the Vrajavasis saw Mother Ganga they offered obeisances to her. Nanda Maharaj and the others then took their holy bath in Manasi Ganga. This incident which took place on the day of Diwali is still commemorated by offering lamps to Manasi Ganga...

I bow down to Bhagwan Krishna, Radha Rani and Sri Giriraj parvat. The temple is next to mansi ganga, and has a large stone in the temple centre and is worshipped as Lord Giriraj Ji.

The one rating is only because of the mandir priests. I came with some sweets and milk to offer Giriraj ji, the priest (the salesman) called me, took the sweets, said a few things like may I get peace, prosperity and then asked for donation and pointed at a rate card which had donation rates starting from 201. He then said me the temple needs a sugar sack by today, and then asked me to donate, and then without me consenting, asked me to repeat - "hey giriraj, ..peace, prosperity.., i donate a sugar sack to you." Then there sat another priest(the accountant) behind him. this priest asked me my name and wrote it down on a receipt, and wrote the amount 4500, this went on and I had to donate some amount in the end. Now after moving from there, another priest caught me at some distance, made me to sit down in front of Durga mata, chanted some well wishes for me and asked for 11000/-, I said i already donated, he tried his best to emotionally blackmail me like will you go without donating to mata. I felt like I was in a business place, and the spiritual peace i was expecting turned to disgust towards the priests. I was also not even able to properly worship because of all these things. What have these priests become? Sitting so close to god, still so distant from him. I wonder how foreigners will be harassed by these greedy guys. I wish I had donated my money to some needy person...

Mansi Ganga, located in the heart of Govardhan, near Mathura, is a sacred lake with immense religious significance. This holy water body is believed to be non-different from the Ganges itself, and according to legend, it was manifested by Lord Krishna to fulfill the wishes of his foster parents who desired to bathe in the holy waters of the Ganges without leaving Braj. The serene environment and the spiritual aura of Mansi Ganga make it a prominent pilgrimage site, attracting devotees who seek to cleanse their sins and attain spiritual blessings through a holy dip.

The lake is surrounded by several temples and ghats, adding to its spiritual charm. Mansi Ganga is accessible to visitors every day, with opening hours from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM. This allows ample time for pilgrims and tourists to engage in rituals, prayers, and the peaceful ambiance of the lake. The best time to visit is during the winter months, from October to March, when the weather is cool and pleasant, making it ideal for exploration and spiritual activities.

During my visit, I was captivated by the tranquil beauty and the deep sense of devotion that permeates the area. The reflections of the temples in the calm waters of Mansi Ganga create a picturesque and serene scene. The atmosphere is filled with the sounds of devotional songs and the gentle lapping of water, making it an ideal spot for meditation and spiritual connection. Whether you are a devotee or a traveler seeking to experience the cultural and religious heritage of India, Mansi Ganga offers a unique and...