Location
Hadimba Devi Temple is situated in Manali. It is a four storey wooden temple. It lies between 32.24228°N and 77.187366°E.
About Hadimba Devi Temple
Hadimba Devi Temple is dedicated to the wife of Bhim, one of the five Pandava brothers in the Indian epic Mahabharata. Bhim married Hadimba and they had a son. But later on, Hadimba left the place and became a spiritual. The people later established temple in her respect known as Hadimba Devi Temple. Hadimba Devi Temple is in pagoda style and comprises no idol within. Some footprints are engraved and are worshiped by devotees.
Mythology
The Hidimbi Devi temple is built around a cave where Hidimba performed meditation. Hidimbi was supposed to have lived there with her brother Hidimba, and not much is known about their parents. Born into a Rakshas family, Hidimbi vowed to marry one who would defeat her brother Hidimba, who was supposed to be very brave and fearless. During the Pandava’s exile, when they visited Manali; Bhima, one of the five Pandavas, killed Hidimba. Thereafter, Hidimbi married Bhima and gave birth to their son Ghatotkacha. Source: Wikipedia
Architecture of Hadimba Devi Temple
Hadimba Temple was established in 1553. Hadimba Devi Temple has 24m high tower. The three tiers of its square roofs are covered with timber tiles. The conical roof is clad in metal. The earth goddess Durga forms the theme of the main door carvings. The temple base is made out of whitewashed, mud-covered stonework. An huge rock occupies the inside of the temple a 7.5 cm tall brass image representing goddess Hidimbi Devi. About seventy metres away from the temple, there is a shrine dedicated to Goddess Hidimbi’s son Ghatotkacha.
As per another legend, the architect of the temple had to lose his hand for this masterpiece. King was afraid of duplication of the master craft and he ordered architect’s hand to be cut. The temple is also known for a fair held every year in Hindu month of Shravan in the memory of Raja Bahadur Singh, who built the temple. The fair is popularly known as “Bahadur Singh Re Jatar” among locals. There is another fair too which is held on 14th May each year.
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