Hidimba Devi Temple

Highlights

• Hidimba Devi Temple, locally known as Dhungari Temple, also known variously as the Hadimba Temple, is a Hindu Temple, located in Manāli, a hill station in the State of Himāchal Pradesh in north India.
• It is an ancient cave temple dedicated to Hidimbi Devi, wife of Bhima, a figure in the Indian epic Mahābhārata.
• The temple is surrounded by a cedar forest called Dhungiri Van Vihar at the foot of the Himālayas.
• The sanctuary is built over a huge rock jutting out of the ground which was worshiped as an image of the deity.
• The structure was built in 1553 by Maharaja Bahadur Singh.

Dress Code

Modest, respectful clothing is expected at this site.

History

• •The Hidimba Devi temple was built in 1553 CE by Maharaja Bahadur Singh.
• •The temple is built around a cave where Devi Hidimba performed meditation.
• •Hidimbi was supposed to have lived there with her brother Hidimb, and not much is known about their parents.
• •Born into a Rakshasa family, Hidimba vowed to marry one who would defeat her brother Hidimb, who was supposed to be very brave and fearless.

Architecture

• •The Hidimba Devi Temple has intricately carved wooden doors and a 24-meter-tall wooden "shikhar" or tower above the sanctuary.
• •The tower consists of three square roofs covered with timber tiles and a fourth brass cone-shaped roof at the top.
• •The earth goddess Durga forms the theme of the main door carvings.
• •Also depicted are animals, foliate designs, dancers, scenes from Lord Krishna’s life and Navagrahas.

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