Manali, a beautiful place in himachal pradesh is defined as a natural paradise on the lap of Himalayas. Manali is filled with a lot of breathtaking tourist places. One among the many beautiful spots in Manali, the mesmerizing beauty of manali is Hadimba Temple, a unique shrine dedicated to Hidimba Devi.
Hidmba temple/ Dhoongri temple
Hidimba temple is also known as Dhoongri temple as it is located inside the Doongri forest. It is a temple belonging to the 16th century and was constructed by Raja Bahadur Singh in the honour of his great penance. Hidimba Devi's temple is four tiered with a Pagoda shaped roof and a front doorway covered with figures and symbols.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.
Inside the temple, there is a 3 inch tall brass image representing goddess Hidimba Devi. There is a shrine which is dedicated to Ghatotkacha (son of Bhima-Hadimba) and is located just about 70 metres from the temple. May month is the best time to visit the place as they conduct three day hidimba devi festival in which devotees from all around celebrate with various dance performances. The most astonishing feature of the temple or what believers could call the most reassuring feature of the temple is the fact that inside the temple the imprint of the feet of the Goddess is carved on a block of stone is worshipped.
Mahabharata and Hidimba Temple
The magnificent Hidimba Devi Temple holds monumental importance to Hindu pilgrims as it is a part of the Hindu epic Mahabharata. The Hidimba temple is dedicated to hadimba devi ,wife of Bhima one of the five pandava princes from the great indian epic Mahabharata.The temple is built around a cave where Devi Hidimba performed meditation. Hidimba was supposed to have lived there with her brother Hidimb. Born into a Rakshasa family, Hidimba vowed to marry one who would defeat her brother Hidimba, who was supposed to be very brave and fearless. During the Pandavas exile, when they visited Manali; Bhima, one of the five Pandavas, killed Hidimb. Thereafter, Hidimba married Bhima and gave birth to their son Ghatotkacha. Originally she was a demoness and then through great penance was crowned the glory of being a goddess.The temple premises has a temple for Ghatotkacha, the son of Bhima and Hidimba and a hero of the Mahabharata war, whose idol is made primarily of wood and lies 70 meters from the Hadimba temple.
History and Heritage meets Natural beauty
Hidimba Temple is no less of wonder to nature lovers.It is surrounded by Van Vihar - kind of forest area with huge trees making it a beautiful sight. The Hidamba Temple has a breath-taking view. Hadimba temple is located amidst the snow-covered hills of Manali with tall trees surrounding, this temple offers a quiet getaway to nature and peace lovers. Being quite a quaint story in itself, the Hidimba Temple is slowly but steadily attracting tourists from all over the country to its door.
