Hidimba Devi Temple in Manali is known by the locals as Dungari Temple and also known variously as Hadimba Temple. Hadimba Devi Temple is located in Manali, a hill station in Himachal Pradesh. Situated amidst the beautiful snowy hills of Manali, this temple is an ancient place worshiped by Hindus.
Hidimba Devi Temple is a cave temple dedicated to demon goddess Hidimba, the wife of Bhima, who was one of the five Pandava brothers. Maharaja Bahadur Singh built this Hidimba Devi Temple in Manali in 1553. The sanctuary is made out of the ground with a huge rock worshiped as an image of the deity.
Nestled amidst the exotic beauty of nature, this temple provides immense peace to the devotees who come here. Hidimba Devi Temple has a significant role in Hindu. Hadimba Temple has religious and cultural significance in the Hindu community. As per the tourists, this is one of the best places to visit in Manali.
History of Hidimba Devi Temple in Manali
According to Hindu mythology, the Hidimba Devi temple holds great significance. The Temple was built around the cave in the middle of the cedar forest at the foot of the Himalayas, and Maharaja Bahadur Singh built it in 1553 AD. It is said that Hidimba Devi performed meditation here. Hidimba is believed to have lived here with her brother Hidimb. Hidimba, born in the Rakshasa Family, swore that the man who defeated his brother Hidimb would marry her.
When the Pandavas came to Manali during their exile, Hidimb attacked them, and then the strongest Pandava, Bhima, killed Hidimb. Hidimba Devi then married Bhima and gave birth to his son Ghatotkacha who later played a major role in the war of Mahabharata. When Pandavas finished their exile and came back, Hidimba did not come with them, and she stayed here and did Tapasya.
For this reason, the people of Manali worship Hidimba Devi as a deity. People worship Goddess Durga throughout the Nation during Navratri, but in Manali, people worship Hidimba Devi. Many people come to worship here, but in Navratri, the crowd gets Double.
Architecture of Hidimba Devi Temple in Manali
Built in 1553 AD, the Hidimba Devi Temple in Manali is still standing full of grace. This temple is a perfect example of unique ancient architecture. The temple is designed with carved wooden doors and has a 24 meters tall wooden tower “Shikhar” above the sanctuary. The Hidimba Devi Temple is designed with three square roofs covered with timber tiles and a fourth brass cone-shaped roof at the top. At the main entrance, the carvings depict the figure of the earth goddess.
The designs also depict the animals, foliate designs, dancers, glimpses from Lord Krishna’s life, and Navagrahas. The temple base is made out of whitewashed, mud-covered stonework, enhancing the beauty of the temple’s base.
An enormous rock occupies most of the space inside the temple, and it has a tiny 3-inch statue of Goddess Hidimba. Inside the temple, a 3.5 cm (3 in) tall bronze image of the goddess Hidma Devi is mounted on the rock.
The most remarkable feature of the temple, or what the believers may call the most reassuring feature of the temple, is that the inscription of the feet of the goddess carved on a block of stone is worshiped inside the temple. A temple dedicated to Ghatotkacha, son of Goddess Hidimba, born after marrying Bhima, is located about seventy meters away from the temple. A crowd of devotees is seen here throughout the year. Long Queues of Hindu devotees can be seen outside the temple to worship.
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FAQ of Hidimba Devi Temple in Manali
Hidimba Devi temple is situated on Hadimba Temple Road, Old Manali, Manali, Himachal Pradesh, in North India. It is also known as Dungari Temple.
There are several ways to reach Hidimba Devi Temple in Manali, by local bus from Manali, train, and you can also hire a cab to communicate within the city.
Kullu Manali Airport Old Terminal is the nearest Airport to reach. It is only 53 km from the temple, and also you can take a cab from the Airport to reach the temple.
There are several hotels near Hidimba Devi Temple with excellent services and comfortable rooms.
Maharaja Bahadur Singh built the Hidimba Devi Temple in Manali in 1553. It is a cave temple dedicated to the Hadimba Devi, who is supposed to meditate here.
The best time to visit Hidimba Devi Temple is summer because the weather becomes more pleasant in summer, and you can enjoy the beauty of nature near the temple.
The distance between Manali to Hidimba Devi Temple is just 3 km.