HIDIMBA DEVI TEMPLE, HIMANCHAL PRADESH


Hidimbi Devi Temple, also known variously as the Hadimba Temple,It is located on a deodar covered hill in Manali, some 3kms from the bus stop and few minutes walk from Old Manali, a hill station in the State of Himāchal Pradesh in north India. 


It is an ancient cave temple dedicated to Hidimbi Devi, sister of Hidimba,who was a character in the Indian epic, Mahābhārata.

The temple is surrounded by a cedar forest at the foot of the Himālayas. The sanctuary is built over a huge rock jutting out of the ground, which was worshipped as an image of the deity. It is an ancient cave temple built in 1553 by Raja Bahadur Singh.


Built over a huge rock, the sanctum is covered by three tiered roof of wooden planks. The fourth metal umbrella completes the outermost covering. The ‘shikhar’ or the wooden tower is 24m tall. The wooden facade and windows of the temple are richly carved. The quadruple wooden door frame is ornamented with carvings of various deities and other designs. The walls of the temple are strangely decorated with horns of animals. 




The temple is dedicated to Hidimbi Devi, sister of Hidimba and wife of Bhima one of the Pandavas from Mahabharata epic. According to the epic, the Pandavas stayed in Himachal during their exile. Bhima the strongest of the Pandavas fought and killed Hidimba, a powerful Rakshas (demon).


Because of its architectural and historical importance the temple is protected as a monument of national importance. It is also one of the crowd-est destination around Manali Town. The locals do small business near the entrance of the Temple. There are small stores that sell souvenirs and woolen products.You could also sit on a yak or hold a fluffy rabbit and get yourself photographed.



How to Reach HIDIMBA DEVI TEMPLE.
It is located in Manali, Himanchal Pradesh. 
By Road
Manali is very well connected to other cities of Himanchal pradesh. If you are coming from Delhi then you can get direct bus from delhi or chandigarh for manali.
 By Air
Manali is also connected by air. Manali Airport is located between Kullu and Manali Road. You can easily get Bus and Cab from there for KULLU and MANALI. 

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