Hadimba Devi Temple, Manali

Important information

  • Location: Hadimba Temple Road, in Old Manali, Himachal Pradesh 175131, North India.
  • Festivals: Navratri For Other Festival Details Click here
  • Main Deity: Hidimba Devi For Other Deity Details Click here
  • Languages: English & Hindi
  • Darshan Timings: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
  • Best Season To Visit: last weeks of August to the first weeks of July
  • Stairs: There are around 15 huge steps at the Temple.
  • How To Reach

The Hadimba Devi Temple is located in Manāli, a hill station in the State of Himāchal Pradesh in north India. It is a historical cave temple devoted to Hidimbi Devi, wife of Bhima, a figure in the Indian epic Mahābhārat.

This Temple is locally known as Dhungari Temple. The temple is surrounded by a cedar forest called Dhungiri Van Vihar at the foot of the Himālayas. The sanctuary is built over a big rock jutting out of the ground which was worshipped as an image of the deity. The structure was built in 1553 by Maharaja Bahadur Singh. Ananya. b.s of 7A Kvsap camp Paroorkada.

History

The Hidimba Devi temple was constructed in 1553 CE by Maharaja Bahadur Singh. The temple is constructed around a cave where Devi Hidimba did meditation. Hidimbi was expected to have lived there with her brother Hidimb, and not much is known about their parents. Born into a Rakshasa family, Hidimba promised to the wed one who would defeat her brother Hidimb, who was supposed to be really brave and courageous. During the Pandavas ‘ exile, when they checked out Manali; Bhima, among the 5 Pandavas, eliminated Hidimb. Afterward, Hidimba got married to Bhima and offered birth to their son Ghatotkacha.

Architecture

The Hidimba Devi Temple has intricately sculpted wood doors and a 24-meter-tall wood “Shikhar” or tower above the sanctuary. The tower includes 3 square roofs covered with timber tiles and a 4th brass cone-shaped roof at the top.

The earth goddess Durga forms the style of the main door carvings. Depicted are animals, foliate styles, dancers, scenes from Lord Krishna’s life, and Navagrahas. The temple base is constructed of whitewashed, mud-covered stonework. A massive rock occupies the within of the temple, just a 7.5 cm (3 inch) high brass image representing goddess Hidimba Devi.

A rope hangs down in front of the rock, and according to a legend, in bygone days spiritual zealots would tie the hands of “sinners” by the rope and after that swing them against the rock.

About seventy meters far from the temple, there is a shrine devoted to Goddess Hidimba’s son, Ghatotkacha, who was born after she married Bhima. The most unexpected feature of the temple or what believers could call the most reassuring function of the temple is the fact that inside the temple the imprint of the feet of the Goddess sculpted on a block of stone is worshipped.

Idol

Hidimba Devi

Festivals

People in Manali worship Hidimba Devi as a deity. During Navaratri, all Hindus across the nation worship the goddess Durga, but people in Manali worship Hidimba Devi. Queues of people can be seen outside the temple, but the crowd increases during Navaratri.

Nearby Attractions

  • Ghatotkach Temple
  • Museum of Himachal Culture and Folk Art
  • Hampta Pass
  • Gadhan Thekchhokling Gompa Monastery

How to Reach

  • By Air: The nearest airport is Bhuntar Airport at Kullu which is 10 km from Manali. The airport is connected by Vayudoot services with Delhi and Chandigarh.
  • By Train: The Joginder Nagar Railway Station is the nearest station to Manali and the temple is only a mere 2kms away from here
  • By Road: Kullu and Manali the places are both on National Highway No. 21. Motorable roads and regular bus services connect Kullu & Manali to most of the important places in Himachal Pradesh and the neighboring states. By road, the distance from Delhi to Manali is 570 km, and from Shimla, the distance is 280 km. Volvo night buses make the 14-hour run from Delhi to Manali.

Temple Timings

Darshan Timing

8:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Temple Video and Photo

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