The Hidimba Devi Temple, also known as the Dhungari Temple, is a sacred ancient cave temple located in Manali, a picturesque hill station in Himachal Pradesh, India. It is dedicated to Hidimbi Devi, the wife of Bhima, a prominent figure in the Indian epic, Mahabharata. Surrounded by the Dhungiri Van Vihar cedar forest at the foot of the Himalayas, the temple is built around a huge rock that was worshipped as an image of the deity. Maharaja Bahadur Singh constructed the temple in 1553 CE.
The Hidimba Devi Temple is 24 meters tall and has intricately carved wooden doors and a 24-meter-tall wooden “shikhar” or tower above the sanctuary. The tower has three square roofs covered with timber tiles and a fourth brass cone-shaped roof at the top. The main door carvings depict the earth goddess Durga, animals, foliate designs, dancers, scenes from Lord Krishna’s life, and Navagrahas. The temple base is made of whitewashed, mud-covered stonework. The inside of the temple houses an enormous rock, and only a 7.5 cm (3 inch) tall brass image of the goddess Hidimba Devi.
People in Manali worship Hidimba Devi as a deity, and during Navaratri, the crowd increases significantly. The temple is visited by many devotees, and every year during spring, locals celebrate the Hidimba Devi Fair. The temple also has a shrine dedicated to Goddess Hidimba’s son, Ghatotkacha, who was born after she married Bhima.
An interesting feature of the temple is the imprint of the feet of the Goddess carved on a block of stone inside the temple that is worshipped. Legend has it that in the past, religious zealots would tie the hands of “sinners” by a rope hanging down in front of the rock and swing them against the rock.
The Hidimba Devi Temple, also known as the Hadimba Temple, is located in Manali, Himachal Pradesh, India. The temple is dedicated to Hidimba Devi, who was a character in the Indian epic Mahabharata. The temple is surrounded by dense cedar forests and is a popular tourist attraction in Manali.
There are several fairs and festivals celebrated at the Hidimba Devi Temple throughout the year. Some of the major ones are:
These fairs and festivals at the Hidimba Devi Temple are a great opportunity for tourists to experience the local culture and traditions of Manali.
The Hidimba Devi Temple, also known as the Hadimba Temple, is a popular tourist attraction located in Manali, Himachal Pradesh, India. The temple is surrounded by dense cedar forests and is dedicated to Hidimba Devi, a character from the Indian epic Mahabharata. Here are some things to do in and around the temple:
Overall, the Hidimba Devi Temple is a great place to visit for anyone interested in exploring the local culture, nature, and adventure activities.
Hidimba Devi Temple is a famous Hindu temple located in Manali, Himachal Pradesh, India. The best time to visit the temple is during the summer months of March to June and the winter months of October to February.
During the summer months, the weather in Manali is pleasant and the temperature ranges from 10°C to 25°C. The surrounding hills and valleys are lush green, and the temple’s surroundings are peaceful and serene. This makes it an ideal time for sightseeing and exploring the temple’s premises.
During the winter months, the temple is covered in snow, and the surroundings are a winter wonderland. The temperature ranges from -1°C to 15°C, making it an ideal time for snow activities like skiing and snowboarding. The temple is also beautifully decorated during the winter months and is a must-visit during the Dussehra festival.
However, it is not recommended to visit Hidimba Devi Temple during the monsoon season from July to September as the region receives heavy rainfall, which can make it difficult to explore the temple and surrounding areas. The roads can also become slippery and dangerous due to landslides.
The Hidimba Devi Temple is a popular tourist destination located in the town of Manali in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. There are several attractions located near the temple that visitors can explore. Here are some of the top attractions to visit near the Hidimba Devi Temple:
Overall, the Hidimba Devi Temple is surrounded by several natural and cultural attractions that visitors can explore during their visit.
The Hidimba Devi Temple is located in the town of Manali in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Here are some ways to reach the temple:
Manali is well-connected to major Indian cities via road. Visitors can take a bus or hire a taxi to reach Manali. The town is located around 540 km from Delhi and around 310 km from Chandigarh.
The nearest railway station to Manali is Joginder Nagar Railway Station, located around 166 km away. The station is well-connected to major Indian cities, and visitors can take a taxi or bus from the station to reach Manali.
The nearest airport to Manali is Bhuntar Airport, located around 50 km away. Several airlines operate regular flights from major Indian cities to Bhuntar. From the airport, visitors can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Manali.
Once visitors reach Manali, they can easily reach the Hidimba Devi Temple by taking a taxi or auto-rickshaw. The temple is located around 2 km from the main market area of Manali, and visitors can either walk to the temple or take local transport.