Hadimba Temple Manali (Timings, History, Entry Fee, Images, Aarti, Location & Phone)

The Hadimba Temple is one of the most sought-after tourist attractions of the quaint hill town of Manali in Himachal Pradesh. It is situated amidst beautiful hills and surrounded by striking cedar trees. The temple is locally known as Dhungri Temple since it lies in the Dhungri forest area of Manali. This ancient Hindu place of worship was built in the 16th century by Raja Bahadur Singh. The main deity worshiped at this shrine is demon Goddess Hadimba. The temple is also referred to as Hidimba Devi Temple.

Interestingly, no idol of Goddess Hadimba has been placed inside the temple; rather, what devotees worship inside the shrine is a block of rock with carved footprints of the Goddess. It is believed that Hadimba Devi used to meditate on this rock located inside the cave, around which the temple has been built. Locals believe that the Goddess protects them from natural calamities and their hardships.

Since Manali Hadimba Devi Temple is nestled among lush greenery, a visit to the temple means an opportunity to feel spiritual while beholding pristine natural beauty all around. The temple receives devotees across the year, but this number increases more, especially in the summer months when vacationers from different parts of the country flock to Manali to relax in its pleasant weather. During the summer month of May, the temple authorities organize a three-day Hadimba festival, which is marked by various cultural festivities based on local music, dance and folklore.

History of Hadimba Temple in Manali

According to the legends, the Pandavas (from the Indian epic Mahabharata) were passing through the Dhungri forest during their exile when they came across Hadimba and her brother, demon king Hidimb. The latter is believed to have been torturing the villagers of the area. To protect the poor villagers, Bhima – the second brother among the Pandavas and the strongest of them all - fought with Hidimb and defeated him. Hadimba, on the other hand, had vowed that she will marry whoever will defeat Hidimb in a fight. Hence, demon Hadimba married Bhima and they had a son named Ghatotkacha.

After Bhima along with his brothers went away from Manali, it was Hadimba who looked after the kingdom and took great care of the people. When Ghatotkacha attained adulthood, Hadimba gave the reins of the kingdom to him and she left for the forest, where she began meditation on a rock seeking penance for her sins. Her prayers and meditations were answered by Goddess Durga, who blessed her to become a goddess. Since those times, Hadimba Devi is highly revered by the local population.

During the Navratri festival, which is celebrated across India to worship the nine incarnations of Goddess Durga, locals of Manali also pray to Goddess Hadimba. They carry out a ceremonial procession of the idol of Hadimba Devi in the area. This procession is called Ghor Puja.

Architecture of Hadimba Temple of Manali

The Pagoda-style architecture of the temple is simply fascinating, especially its top most roof, which is made of metal while the other roofs feature timber tiles. This four-tiered structure is made up of wood and stones, with the former used in its doors and Shikhara (temple’s peak) while the latter used for its strong foundation. The Shikhara of the temple is 24 m high and looks as tall as the surrounding deodar trees.

The main entrance door of the temple is made of wood, featuring a carved image of Goddess Durga. The walls of the temple are beautifully decorated with figurines and carvings of different Hindu goddesses and various animals. The floor of the temple is made of white stones. The main sanctum of the shrine has the footprint carved rock on which Goddess Hadimba used to meditate.

Things to do at Hadimba Temple, Manali

Besides paying respects at the Hadimba Devi Temple, tourists can head to the nearby tree temple, which is devoted to her son Ghatotkacha. Tourists with an inclination towards natural beauty will find this place heavenly because of the lush greenery all around. A nature walk among the Dhungri Van Vihar can definitely be a fulfilling affair.

Dhungri Van Vihar is a municipal garden situated close to the temple. The main highlight of the garden is a man-made lake, where boating facilities are available. The Museum of Himachal Culture & Folk Art, located near the temple, is a popular attraction of Manali. The museum boasts of exhibiting a wide range of artifacts of the state of Himachal Pradesh.

Adventure lovers can go on an uncharted trek, which starts near the temple. This one-day trail, locally called Lamadugh - meaning deep and long – leads trekkers into the forest comprising Cedar, Maple, Chestnut, Pine and Oak trees. Another must-do thing at this place is photography, especially of the temple’s alluring architecture. The scenic location of the temple surrounded by tall cedar trees is something that the nature photographers will definitely appreciate.

Hadimba Devi Temple Entry Fee and Timings

There is no entry fee to visit the temple. It remains open on all days, from morning 8 am till evening 6 pm.

How to Reach Hadimba Temple in Manali

The Hadimba Devi Temple, located close to the famous Mall Road of Manali, is easily accessible by availing local transport services like auto-rickshaws and rented bikes. Commuting by town buses might not be a good option since they are usually crowded. Since, the shrine is only 2.7 km away from the Mall road, a lot of tourists walk up to the temple. Tourists can also hire a private taxi from top car rental companies in Manali for a one-day tour of Manali and keep this famous temple as part of their itinerary.

Tourists can reach Manali by Air, Rail and Road. The nearest airport to this hill station is Bhuntar Airport, which is about 50 km away. Joginder Nagar railway station, located at a distance of 146 km, is the nearest railhead to Manali. Private taxis can be availed from the airport and railway station to reach the hill station. Road connectivity to this place is quite good with frequent buses available from important nearby cities like New Delhi, Chandigarh, Ambala, etc.

Things to keep in mind while visiting Hadimba Temple, Himachal Pradesh

• Do not litter outside or inside the temple premises.
• Avoid touching any statues or religious items placed inside the shrine.
• Do not harm the natural vegetation in the surrounding area of the temple.
• Reach early to avoid parking rush, especially during peak holiday season.

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Location Map for Hadimba Temple Manali