Himachal Pradesh is well-liked not only in India but also in foreign countries for visiting. Throughout the year, travellers keep coming to the hill stations present in this state. When it comes to trips in Himachal, the first thing that comes to mind is Manali trip.
There is such a temple in Manali situated amidst beautiful mountains, whose history is believed to be associated with the Mahabharata period. We are talking about Hidimba Devi temple located near Kullu district, which is believed to be related to Pandava son Bhima.
Travellers coming to Manali definitely come to visit this temple and enjoy its beauty. Here we are going to tell you about the history of this temple and some interesting facts related to it.
History of Hidimba Devi Temple
According to ancient legend, it is said that Hidimba was a kind and just ruler. Time passed and Hidimba and Bhima’s son Ghatotkacha grew up, then Hidimba made him sit on the throne of the kingdom.
She went to the forest to do penance for the remaining life. She belonged to a demonic caste, so she decided to perform severe penance by sitting on a big rock to erase her demonic identity.
In this way, after many years, her penance was successful and she got the honor and respect of being a goddess. When the Goddess Hidimba attained her glory of being a goddess by penance, a temple has been built on this rock in her memory. The temple was built in AD 1553 by Maharaja Bahadur Singh. This Hidimba temple has been constructed around a cave.
After the temple was built at this place, devotees started coming in large numbers to this place for darshan and worship. Hidimba Temple is a four storied temple and this temple has been constructed in the middle of the forest.
The second name of this temple i.e. Dhungri has been named by the local people considering the area around this temple.
Due to the location of this temple above the hill, the view of this temple during snowfall is very beautiful and remains a center of attraction for the tourists.
The special thing about this temple is that there is no idol of goddess in this temple. But the footprints of goddess Hidimba are worshiped in the Hidimba temple.
Story Related to Goddess Hidimba’s Marriage
Hidimba Devi Temple in Manali is dedicated to the wife of Mahabali Bhima, the brother of the Pandavas, Bhimsen. Bhima’s wife Hidimba belonged to a demon race and lived with her brother in this region.
She was very proud of her brother’s courage and strength. Hidimba had vowed that whoever will defeat her brother in the war, she will choose him as a groom and would marry him immediately.
Bhima came to this region during the time when the Pandavas were in exile. Then hearing about the torture and atrocities of the local people of that area, Bhima fought with Hidimba’s brother to get rid of that demon.
After defeating him in the war, Pandava son Bhima and Hidimba got married. When Bhima and the Pandavas were leaving Manali, they entrusted Hidimba with the responsibility of taking over the kingdom.
They had a son who was named Ghatotkacha, who died fighting from the side of the Pandavas during the war of Mahabharata. And because this temple is dedicated to Goddess Hidimba, this temple is known by her name as Hidimba Temple.
The beautiful carvings on the walls of the temple are very much liked by the tourists coming here. Apart from this, there is also a wooden door in the temple, on which the image of animals has also been made by hand.
The temple is built between dense trees, due to which it looks even more beautiful. Apart from this, a river flows nearby, where travellers go and enjoy.
Interesting facts about Hidimba Temple
- The specialty of the Hidimba temple is that the construction of the temple is built in the pagoda architectural style.
- For this reason, the temple is very different from other temples and is a centre of attraction for devotees and tourists.
- The construction of Mata Hidimba temple is made of wood.
- The Hidimba temple has four roofs, three of which have been constructed from the wood of the deodar tree.
- After this, the fourth and last roof of the temple is made of copper and brass.
- Talking about the roofs of the Hidimba temple, the first roof from the bottom is the biggest; the second roof is smaller than the first.
- The third terrace is smaller than the second terrace and the fourth or the last Shikhar terrace is the smallest which looks like the shape of an urn when seen from a distance.
- Hidimba Temple looks like a 40 meter high cone shape and the walls of the temple are made of stones.
- Hidimba Temple has beautiful and attractive carvings on the entrance and walls.
- The Hidimba temple has a wooden gate above which there are small paintings of goddesses, animals and others.
- Navagrahas and female dancers from a story of Lord Krishna are seen in the beam of the door frame of the temple.
- There is no idol of Goddess Hidimba in the temple but there is a huge rock with her footprints which is worshiped considering it as the deity of the Goddess.
- A temple dedicated to Ghatotkacha, the son of goddess Hidimba is located here. It is about seventy meters away from the Hidimba temple.
Festival in Hidimba Devi Temple
A festival is organized every year in the month of Shravan in the Hidimba temple. According to ancient legend, it is believed that this festival is celebrated in the memory of King Bahadur Singh because he had got the Hidimba temple built. For this reason, this fair is organized by the local people.
And the name of this fair is recognized by the name of Raja Bahadur Singh Ray Jatar. After this, another fair is organized in the Hidimba temple on May 14, which is considered as Hidimba’s birthday. On this day the local women enjoy this fair with music and dance in Dungri forest area.
According to ancient legend, this temple is about 500 years old. And the third fair of the temple is known as Sarohni fair and this fair is organized after planting paddy.
After this, Dussehra festival is also organized in Hidimba temple during Navratri, at this time a large number of devotees come to this place to have darshan of Goddess Hidimba.
Worship and Darshan Timings at Devi Hidimba Temple
Hidimba devi temple remains open throughout the week and is not closed on any day. There is no fee to enter the Hidimba temple.
Hidimba Temple opens at 8 in the morning and closes after 6 in the evening. During this time devotees come for worship and darshan.
Read also:
- Hadimba Devi Temple : Beautiful four storey wooden temple
- Famous Temples of Himachal Pradesh – Part Two
- Famous Temples of Himachal Pradesh – Part Two
- Tara Devi Temple – Famous tourist attraction
- Udaipur – Famous for ancient Marikula Mata temple
