Hadimba Temple Manali

the Hadimba temple is a unique shrine dedicated to Hadimba Devi, who was the wife of Bhima and mother of Ghatothkach. Surrounded by gorgeous cedar forests, this beautiful shrine is built on a rock which is believed to be in the image of the goddess herself. The construction style of the temple is entirely different from that of any of the other temples, with its wooden doorways, walls, and cone-shaped roof. This temple is a fitting dedication to its presiding deity Hadimba. Hidimba was originally a demoness who fell in love with the second Pandava brother and then through great penance was crowned the glory of being a goddess. It is said that the temple is built on the spot where Hidimba sat meditating in honour of her hard penance.

The Hadimba temple was built in 1553, but the legend of this place dates back to the Hindu epic Mahabharata. The temple is constructed over a huge rock which is worshipped as a representation of Hidimba. The architecture of this temple is also unusual. It consists of four wooden storeys. The interior of the temple is maintained at its original earthen glory much in keeping with undisturbed natural beauty that surrounds the temple. The walls are decorated only with stone and mud impressions and figurines of goddesses and animals etc. The doors are made of intricately carved wood, and the roof is clad in metal.

History Behind The Construction Of Hadimba Temple
The Temple is visited by thousands of tourists every year and is among the top places to be visited in Manali. The temple do not have any idol but only a footprint on a stone which is worshiped by the people. It is also believed that when the Raja ordered the construction of temple he was so awestruck by the beauty and architecture that he ordered to cut the right arm of the artist so that he could not copy the masterpiece again. Hadimba Temple was Constructed by Maharaja Bahadur Singh in 1553 AD, Hadimba temple Manali is a much revered deity of the locals where the Goddess regularly consulted in times of natural hardship or calamity. According to locals and legendary related to temple, animal sacrifices are still made here in her honor.

In their wanderings the Pandavas, the five brothers of the great Indian Epic Mahabharata, along with their mother, after escaping from the wax house unhurt came to the territory of Hadimba Rakshash. One of the brothers Bhima fell in love with Hadimba, the sister of the ruler. Bhima could marry her only after killing the brother. Then later the pair-lived in the valley for about a year after which Bhima joined his brothers and mother. Eventually Hadimba gave birth to a son who was named ‘Ghatotkachh’.

Till Ghatotkachh was a minor in age Hadimba looked after her country and then she retired to the inner hills, for meditation, when her son Ghatotkachh, a great warrior took over the country. Ghatotkachh was a good administrator. Dhungri was the place near Manali where Hadimba had resorted for meditation. There a temple of Hadimba in ‘pagoda’ style was raised and she became Devi Hadimba. Hadimba Devi had supernatural powers owing to ‘tapashya’ and was very much kind to her people. Hadimba Devi Temple is usually dedicated to the wife of Bhim, who is one of the five Pandava brothers in the Indian epic Mahabharata. As the history and story by saints say that Bhim married Hadimba and they had a son. Later on, Hadimba left the place and became very much spiritual. Then the people who were her disciples later erected a temple in her respect, known as Hadimba Temple.

How to Reach Hadimba Devi Temple Manali
Temple can be accessed by car as well as by walking. If you are visiting Manali in peak season then second option that is by walking is the best option to reach Hadimba temple but if you are visiting Manali in off season or during the months of September or post September then you can prefer car also. You can reach temple by driving till old Manali and have a short walk till the temple or can drive straight till the temple.