HIDIMBA DEVI TEMPLE, DHUNGRI, MANALI (Himachal Pradesh)
April- July! April You can visit this temple any day from January to December but April to July is the best time to visit here and after that rainy season is expected. You can still visit here in winter as well but you need to see the current weather conditions a day back from your visit.
Hidimba Devi Temple is located at Dhungri village, MANALI. It is 2.2 km away from the Manali market. The temple was built in 1553 by Raja Bahadur Singh. People of Kullu Manali worship her and have great faith in her. From all over the world people come here to take the blessings of the goddess Hidimba. There are cues from people outside the temple. Hidimba Devi is the wife of Bhim in Mahabharat. There are very few temples of Devi Hidimba and Dhungri temple is the most famous of all. It is situated in the middle of the pine trees. The calm and rustic feel of the place is something that is beyond description. The temple is like a beautiful baby in the lap of nature.
|
Is Hidimba Mata temple open for tourists? |
|
Yes, Nowadays it is open for tourists. Earlier it was closed due to COVID-19. |
HISTORY: Devi Hidimba was the sister of demon king Hidimb and the wife of Kunti Putra Bhim. She is worshipped as a Goddess because she always performed good deeds. The temple where it stands now is the place where she performed Tapasya(meditation)for many centuries, after that she attained the knowledge and Devi Swaroop as we worship now. She is the mother of the great warrior Ghatotkachh, who fought in Mahabharat to help his father and uncles win the war. With his help, Pandavas won the war but he lost his life. It is believed that maa HIDIMBA is one of the different rupas of Maa Durga.
TEMPLE: Hidimba Devi temple is built around the cave where maa Hidimba performed meditation. It is made in the Pagoda art form. It is made of wood, stone, and clay. Inside the temple, there are footprints of maa Hidimba underneath a rock, where she performed Tapasya. On the right side of it is a Havan Kund. The entry door is made of wood. There are different carvings of maa Durga, animals, dancers, different scenes of Lord Krishna's life, etc. All the things are as they are for many centuries although people have changed.
DHUNGRI MELA: There are different occasions and rituals when all the people of Manali come to the temple to take the blessings of Maa Hidimba, such as Navratri, Dhungri Mela, in the month of July there is a celebration, etc. Among all these DHUNGRI MELA is the one when a large number of people from different villages come to Dhungri to take her blessings. The Mela is celebrated from 14th May to 16th May. In this mela, different traders come to Dhungri and sell their products. There is a huge rush in the temporary shops, but the center of attraction is Maa Hidimba's rath(chariot). Her son Ghatotkach's rath comes to Manali from Siraj Valley to meet his mother. The scene when the mother meets her son is very heart-touching. People who see their reunion also get emotional.
| When or On which date is Dhungri Mela(fair) celebrated? |
| On account of Hidimba Devi's Birthday, the fair/mela is celebrated every year from 14th May to 16th May. The fair is held at Manali in Himachal Pradesh. |
SHRINE OF GHATOTKACH: A few meters away from the temple there is a shrine of Ghatottkachh(son of Hidimba Devi). There is a huge tree and a platform. People who come to the Dhungri temple also come here to take his blessings.
HIDIMBA'S RATH(CHARIOT): Maa Hidimba's rath comes to the temple on many occasions but it is kept in Old Manali village which is near to the dhungri village. It is the Rath that goes to different places and villages as Devi herself. In Dushehra Festival her chariot goes to Kullu and plays an important role in the festival. Like other gods and goddesses, Devi Hidimba also has a SHAMON(gur), Through him, she talks to the people and helps the people in their hard times.
Entry Fees: There is no entry fee for the Hidimba Mata Temple temple.
These days everyone is busy in their life filled with work and worries. People who come to Manali (a hill station) must go to the temple. In the market where there is a lot of hustle and bustle but when one visits the Hidimba temple, it is different. The place is filled with peace and serenity. One feels close to nature, Where all the worries just fly away.
✯ Distance from Manali Bus Stand: 2.2 km
✯ Time duration: 5-10 Minutes
✯ Place Location: Manali
✯ Transportation Options: Walk/Taxi/Auto/Cab.
✯ Travel Tips: Bring warm clothes in winter.
Affiliate links:
|
Accessories I am using |
Buy from Amazon |
|
VICTGOAL USB Rechargeable Light 400 Lumen |
RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS:
