Hidimba Temple is also known as Dhungri Temple. And this temple is located in Manali, a popular hill station in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Hidimba Devi was the wife of Bhima, the strongest of the five Pandava brothers in the Indian epic Mahabharata. The Hidimba Temple is surrounded by a beautiful deodar forest. And is a popular pilgrimage site for the local people. It is also a popular spot for photographers and nature enthusiasts, who come to enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
Hidimba Devi Temple History
This temple was built by Maharaja Bahadur Singh. Hidimba Devi Temple is said to be more than 500 years old. Some locals believe that the temple is even older and dates back to the time of Mahabharata when Hidimba Devi lived in the nearby forest. The story goes that Hidimba Devi fell in love with Bhima during his exile in the forest, and helped him defeat his own brother Hidimba, who was a demon. The temple is built on the spot where Hidimba Devi used to meditate, and her spirit is said to still reside there. After the marriage of Bhima and Hidimba Devi, they had a son named Ghatotkacha, who is also worshiped in the temple.
Hadimba Devi Temple Manali Architecture
The temple is believed to have been built in the 16th century and is built in the traditional architectural style of the region using wood and stone. The most distinctive feature of the temple is its unique architecture, which includes a cone-shaped roof made of wooden planks and a three-tiered square base with carved wooden doors and a brass idol of the goddess. The Hidimba Devi fair held every year in May is very famous here.
Places to Visit Near Manali
Here are the best places to visit near Manali. Manali is some of the places to visit near Hidimba Devi Temple. The Solang Valley has located only 14 km from Manali. Solang Valley Manali is a popular destination for adventure sports like paragliding, skiing, and zorbing. Rohtang Pass is located at a distance of about 51 kilometers from Manali. Rohtang Pass is a high mountain pass that offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. It is open for visitors from May to November. Beas Kund has located about 20 km from Manali. Beas Kund is a glacial lake that is considered sacred by the local people. It is considered a very good place for trekking and camping. ,
Manikaran has located about 80 km from Manali and Manikaran is a pilgrimage center for Hindus and Sikhs. It is known for its hot springs. Vashisht Hot Springs has located about 3 km from Manali. Vashisht Hot Springs are natural hot springs that are believed to have medicinal properties. There are also ancient temples dedicated to sage Vashishtha and Lord Rama. Naggar has located about 20 km from Manali. Naggar is a historical city known for its ancient temples, heritage buildings, and scenic views.
How to Reach
The Hidimba Temple is open to visitors throughout the year, but the best time to visit is during the months of May to October when the weather is pleasant. And the surrounding landscape blossoms completely. To reach the temple, you can take a local taxi or walk to Hidimba Devi Temple. The temple is located about 2 km from the main market area of Manali. and can be reached by a short walk through a forested area. Manali is well connected by bus to major cities of Himachal Pradesh and other nearby states.
