HADIMBA DEVI TEMPLE - MANALI (HIMACHAL PRADESH)

 

Hadimba Devi Temple in located in Manali , Himachal Pradesh an ancient cave dedicated to Hidimba Devi Ji , wife of Bhima. The temple is surrounded by cedar forest called Dhungiri Van Vihar at the foot of Himalayas. The architecture of temple is of style Pagoda and completed in around 1553 by Maharaja Bahadur Singh. Located amidst the snow-covered hills of Manali, the Hadimba Temple is a unique shrine. 

Manali is a town in the Indian State of Himachal Pradesh, Manali is the beginning of an ancient trade routes through Lahaul and Ladakh. Manali is regarded as the derivative of Manual Alaya. Manu is believed to have stepped off his ark in Manali to recreate human life after a great flood had deluged the world. The valley of Kullu is often referred as "Valley of the Gods".

Dhungri Festival is an annual feature enthusiastic attended by a large number of people of that region. This is one of the representative traditional festival of India that helps the visitors get a glimpse on the local customs, practices , rituals andand culture. Main Goddesses of different nearby villages are decorated and brought to the Hadimba Temple Complex. The exciting part of the festival are Kullu Nati Folk Dance , reverberating drum sounds , an arrangement of local dishes to inflused mood to the entire region.

Locally also known as Dhungari Temple , the construction of this temple is entirely different from the other temples. Look closer and you will spot it's exteriors adorned with sacrificial remain of animals.

Devotees beleive that the temple stands at the site where Hindu deity Hadimba Devi meditated this reference is connected to the days of Mahabharata.

The forest near Hadimba Devi Temple is insanely dense , make you feel good mentally, you can feel the presence of Hadimba Devi Ji There. The temple is 24 meters tall.

HISTORY OF HADIMBA DEVI TEMPLE

The Hadimba Devi Temple was built in 1553CE by Maharaja Bahadur Singh, built around a cave where Devi performed meditation. Hidimbi was supposed to have lived there with her brother Hidimb. Born in a  Rakhasa Family, Hidimba vowed to marry one who would defeat her brother Hidimb who was supposed to be fearless and brave. Bhima, one of the 5 Pandavas defeated Hidimb and there after Hidimba married Bhima and gave birth to there son Ghatotkacha.

TIMINGS

8AM - 6PM ( all days of the week ) 

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Best Time to visit is September to April if you wish to beat the crowd , it open all through the Year .

ACTIVITIES TO DO IN HADIMBA DEVI TEMPLE

1. LOCAL MARKET

2. TRADITIONAL DRESS PHOTOGRAPHY

3. YAK RIDES 

4. STREET FOOD

HOW TO REACH HADIMBA DEVI TEMPLE

The temple is located around at a distance of 2km from Manali town and just 100m from the Mall Road easily accessible by own car , taxi or buses.Joginder Nagar Railway Station is the nearest railway station to Manali. The temple is merely 2km away from the station. Some prefers to trek which definitely adds to their overall scenic and spiritual journey.