About Hidimba Devi Temple
Hidimba Devi Temple is a historical and religious site in Manali, a hill station in Himachal Pradesh, India. It is dedicated to Hidimba Devi, the wife of Bhima, one of the Pandava brothers from the epic Mahabharata. The temple was built in 1553 by Maharaja Bahadur Singh around a cave where Hidimba Devi performed meditation. The temple is surrounded by a cedar forest and has unique wooden architecture. The temple has no idol, but a rock that is believed to be the image of Hidimba Devi. The temple is also known as Dhungari Temple or Hadimba Temple.
Hidimba Devi Temple History and Mythology
The temple has a rich history and mythology associated with it. The legend, Hidimba Devi was a demoness who lived in the forest with her brother Hidimb, who was a powerful and ferocious demon. When the Pandavas were exiled to the forest, Hidimb attacked them but was killed by Bhima in a fierce battle.
Hidimba Devi, who had fallen in love with Bhima, asked him to marry her. Bhima agreed on the condition that she would leave him after giving birth to their son.
Hidimba Devi agreed and they got married. They had a son named Ghatotkacha, who became a great warrior and fought for the Pandavas in the Kurukshetra war. After Bhima left her, Hidimba Devi devoted herself to meditation and attained supernatural powers. She became the protector of the region and was worshipped as a goddess by the locals.
How to Reach Hidimba Devi Temple
The temple is located about 2 km from the main market of Manali. You can easily reach the temple by road, rail, or air.
- By Road: You can take a taxi, auto-rickshaw, or bus from the market to the temple. The fare is around Rs. 50-100 for a taxi, Rs. 20-30 for an auto-rickshaw, and Rs. 10-15 for a bus. You can also walk to the temple from the market, which will take about 20-30 minutes.
- By Rail: The nearest railway station to Manali is Joginder Nagar, which is about 165 km away. You can take a train to Joginder Nagar from various places in India, such as Delhi, Chandigarh, Shimla, and Dharamshala. From Joginder Nagar, you can take a taxi or a bus to Manali, which will take about 4-5 hours. The fare is around Rs. 1500-2000 for a taxi and Rs. 300-400 for a bus.
- By Air: The nearest airport to Manali is Bhuntar, which is about 50 km away. You can take a flight to Bhuntar from various places in India, such as Delhi, Chandigarh, and Shimla. From Bhuntar, you can take a taxi or a bus to Manali, which will take about 1-2 hours. The fare is around Rs. 1000-1500 for a taxi and Rs. 200-300 for a bus.
Timings of Hidimba Devi Temple
The temple is open from 8 am to 6 pm every day. There is no entry fee for visiting the temple. You may have to pay a nominal amount for using the camera or video recorder inside the temple premises.
Rituals of Hidimba Devi Temple
The temple is visited by many devotees who offer prayers and seek blessings from Hidimba Devi. The main ritual of the temple is the sacrifice of animals such as goats or buffaloes to please the goddess. The sacrifice is done by cutting off the head of the animal with an axe and offering it to the rock inside the temple. The blood of the animal is then sprinkled on the rock and on the devotees as a sign of blessing.
The temple is also celebrated during the Navratri festival, which is usually in October or November. During this time, many people visit the temple to offer prayers and perform dances and music in front of the temple. The temple is decorated with flowers and lights and a fair is held near the temple.
There is also an annual fair called Dhungari Mela that is held near the temple in May or June. The fair showcases the local culture, art, and cuisine of Manali. The fair also features a procession of Hidimba Devi’s idol from the temple to the nearby village of Dhoongri. The idol is carried on a chariot that is pulled by yaks and horses. The procession is accompanied by folk music and dance and attracts many tourists and locals.
If you are fascinated by the history and mythology of Hidimba Devi Temple, you should not miss the opportunity to visit this unique and ancient temple in Manali. You can easily reach the temple by road, rail, or air from various places in India. So, what are you waiting for? Plan your trip to Hidimba Devi Temple today and experience the culture and spirituality of this Himalayan region.
