Temple of Hidimbi

Hidimba Devi Temple, also known as the Hadimba Temple, is located in Manali in Himachal Pradesh in India. Hidimbi was a character in the epic Mahabharata who fell in love with Bhima, the second eldest of Pandavas. Hidimba got married with Bhima and had a son. About 70 meters away from the temple, there is a shrine dedicated to Goddess Hidimba’s son, Ghatotkacha. When Bhima and his Pandav brothers returned from exile, Hidimba did not accompany him, but stayed back and did tapasya to attain the status of goddess. The temple is surrounded by a cedar forest at the foot of the Himalayas.

The Hidimba Devi temple is built around a cave where Hidimba performed mediatation. Hidimba was supposed to be live here with her brother Hidimb, and not much is known about their parents. Born in the Rakshas family, Hidimba vowed to marry one who would defeat her brother Hidimb, who was supposed to be very brave and fearless. During the Pandava's exile, when they visited Manali Bhima, one of the five Pandvas, killed Hidimb. Thus, Hidimba married Bhima, and gave birth to their son Ghatotkacha.