The history of Mata Mansa Devi Temple is a rich narrative that bridges the Pauranic past with the royal heritage of the 19th century. According to Hindu mythology, this is the sacred spot where a part of Sati Mata's head (specifically the crown) fell during the dismemberment of her body by Lord Vishnu's Sudarshana Chakra, making it a major Shakti Peetha. The current structural era of the temple began in the early 19th century.
The main temple was commissioned by Maharaja Gopal Das Singh of Mani Majra between 1811 and 1815. Legend has it that the Maharaja was a staunch devotee and built a 3-kilometer-long underground tunnel from his fort in Mani Majra to the temple so that he and his queen could visit the deity in secrecy every morning. It is said that the temple doors would miraculously open only upon his arrival.
Another significant addition to the complex is the Patiala Shivalaya, built in 1840 by Maharaja Karam Singh of Patiala, reflecting the cross-border royal patronage the shrine enjoyed. Historically, the temple remained under the private management of the Mani Majra state and later local priests until 1991, when the Haryana Government took over its administration through the Shri Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Board (SMMDSB), leading to a massive expansion of pilgrim facilities and the preservation of its ancient art.
