Hadimba Devi Temple
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Label : Top Attraction
Tags : Temple
Timings : Open 24 hours
Time Required : 1-2 hrs
Festivals : Dhungari Mela
Deity : Hidimbi
District : Kullu
Address : Regency Road, Siyal Rd, near by Hadima Devi Temple, Siyal, Manali, Himachal Pradesh 175131
Architectural Style : Pagoda
Hidimba Devi Temple
Hadimba Temple, Manali Overview
Built in 1553, this wooden pagoda temple is dedicated to Hidimba, wife of Bhima from the Mahabharata, and its carved wooden tower rises 24 metres inside a dense cedar forest. It's Manali's oldest and most visited monument, an easy stop usually combined with Old Manali. Allow 30-45 minutes.
Locally known as Dhungari Temple, the construction style of the Hidimba Devi temple is entirely different from that of any of the other temples, with its wooden doorways, walls, and cone-shaped roof. This temple is a fitting dedication to its presiding deity Hadimba.
Hadimba Temple Highlights
1. Worship of Hidimba Devi and Festivities
Read More on Hadimba Temple
History of Hadimba Temple and Mahabharata Connection
During the period when the Pandavas were in exile, the second brother of the Pandavas Bheem, in a quest to save the villagers from the tortures of Hidimb, killed him and thus won the hand of Hidimba for marriage. Bheem and Hidimba had a son named Ghatotkacha who died fighting for the Pandavas in the Kurukshetra Battle. A shrine dedicated to him is built near the Hadimba temple.
After Bheem and the Pandavas went away from Manali, Hidimba stayed back to look after the kingdom. It is said that she was a very kind and just ruler. When her son Ghatotkacha came to age, Hidimba left the throne to her and went into the forest to dedicate the rest of her life to meditation.
It is said that Hidimba sat on a rock doing hard penance to shed her demoness identity. After many years of meditation, her prayers were answered, and she was crowned with the glory of being a goddess. It is to honour her penance that the Hidimba Devi Temple was built on this rock in 1553.
Architecture of Hidimba Devi Temple
The main door of the Hidimba temple is adorned with carvings of depicting Goddess Durga. The base of the Hadimba temple is made of whitewashed stones. The interior is kept as simple as possible. The walls are adorned with carvings and figurines of Hindu Goddesses, various animals etc. The temple does not contain any idol of Devi Hidimba. The sanctum sanctorum consists of the rock where Hidimba sat for meditation.
A few metres away from the Hadimba Temple lies a shrine dedicated to Hidimba and Bhima's son Ghatotkacha. It consists of a stone block with the impression of what is believed to be Hidimba's foot.
