Hidimba Devi Temple ( Manali )

Manali has many attractions but the chief centre of interest, historically and archeologically, is undoubtedly the DHOONGRI TEMPLE dedicated to goddess Hidimba, the Bhim of Mahabharat fame. It has four-tiered Pagoda shaped roof and the doorway is carved with legendary figures and symbols. This temple located amidst wooden forest of deodar is about 2.5 kms. from the tourist office. It is a pleasant experience to stroll in the temple complex which was built in 1533 A.D. A large festival is held here in May.
The Indian epic Mahabharata narrates that Pāndavas stayed in Himachal during their exile. In Manali, a strongest person named Hidimba,a brother of Hidimdi, attacked them, and in the ensuing fight,Bhima,the strongest Pandav, killed him. Bhima and Hidimba's sister, Hidimbi, then got married and had a son, Ghatotkacha, (who later proved to be a great warrior in the war against Kauravas).When Bhima and his brothers returned from exile, Hidimbi did not accompany him,but stayed back and did tapasyā (a combination of meditation, prayer, and penance) so as to eventually attain the status of a goddess.
In their move about without a definite purpose the Pandavas and their mother, came to the territory of Hadimb Rakshash after escaping from wax house. Bhima fell in love with Haimba and wanted to marry her but the condition was that he could marry her only after killing the brother. Both lived in the area for about one year and then he joined his brother and mother. On the other side Hadimba gave birth to a son 'Ghototkachh'. , Hadimba looked after her country till the time ghototkach was a child. She withdran to the hills for meditation at Dhungri Van Vihar etc.. Thereafter a Temple was raised and She became Hadimba Devi. She was having supernatural powers and was kind to her people. Hadimba became the patron-deity of the Rajas of Kullu . According to Hira Nand Shastri this temple is an antique of about 500 years old. There is noo idol is cherised and only a foot print on a stone has been kept. It was Raja Bahadur Singh who built the temple is serve by a Mela held on the first of Savan annually named as 'Bahadur Singh Re Jatar.' This Mela is also called as Saroohni. 


For More Details Contact :

www.btpyatra.com
https://www.facebook.com/btpyatra
Twitter : @btpyatra
http://www.waghobanagari.com/