This ancient temple stands by dense cedar forest, located amidst the snow-covered hills of Manali. The Hadimba Temple is a unique shrine dedicated to Hidimba Devi, who was the wife of Bhima and therefore the mother of Ghatothkach. This beautiful shrine is made on a rock which is believed to be within the image of the goddess Hidimba herself.
The temple was constructed way back in 1553 by Maharaja Bahadur Singh. Locally referred to as Dhungiri Temple, it’s one among the foremost temples in Manali. This four-story structure lies amid a forest, called Dhungiri Van Vihar. The development sort of the Hidimba Devi temple is entirely different from that of any of the other temples, with its wooden doorways, walls, and cone-shaped roof. The temple door has elaborate miniature paintings of the Goddess, animals etc. The beam of the doorway has the Navgrahas and female dancers from one among the stories of Lord Krishna. The temple doesn’t have an idol of the Goddess but an enormous stone carrying her footprint is kept here.
When you mention Manali, there’s no skipping a mention of this temple. Every year, a festival is organized within the temple within the Hindi month of Shravan. It is celebrated in the memory of the person who constructed this temple, Raja Bahadur Singh. Locals have named this fair Bahadur Singh Re Jatar. This fair is additionally referred to as Sarrohni Mela. Another fair held here is that the celebration of the birthday of Hidimba Devi, on May 14, every year. At this point, the local women visit the Dungri forest area and celebrate the deity’s birthday with music and dance.
The temple stays open during the year but if you would like to beat the crowds you shall visit the temple between September to April. Winters often bring heavy snowfall to Manali, and therefore the temple makes for a quite stunning sight then. The ritual arti here isn’t something that you simply would want to miss. Aside from the temple complex, there’s a surrounding forest where you ought to spend a couple of hours.
We at The Holidays Club strive to make each & every journey a memorable experience. We recommend booking Hidimba Devi Temple tours ahead of time to secure your spot. Plan and enjoy your vacations with The Holidays Club to create a world of truly luxurious and unforgettable holiday experiences.
How to reach?
Hidimba temple is located around 2 km from the Manali town, and just 100 m from the Mall Road. It is easily accessible by bus or taxi. The Joginder Nagar Railway Station is the nearest railway station to Manali, if you’re considering visiting this place via train. The temple is simply 2 km far away from the station; from there you’ll hire a cab or prefer to walk till the spot. Some even like better to trek to the temple, which definitely adds to their overall scenic and spiritual journey.
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