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Hadimba Temple mostly called as the Dhungiri temple in Manali is one of the most important temples in the region. This Temple of four wooden storeys is located in the middle of a forest called the Dhungiri Van Vihar. The temple derives its name from the forest parkland near the temple.

The temple was erected in 1553 and is dedicated to Goddess Halima. Hadimba Devi Temple has a 24 m high tower and has three tiers of its square roofs are covered with timber tiles, while the conical roof is clad in metal.

The unadorned walls of mud are covered with stonework in contrast with the wooden doorway, it which is elaborately decorated with miniature depictions of Goddess, attendants, animals and stylized foliation. On the beams above the doorway appears the Navagrahas, female dancers an isolated scene from the Krishna story,etc.

In their wanderings the Pandavas, the five brothers of the great Indian Epic Mahabharata, along with their mother, after escaping from the wax house unhurt came to the territory of Hadimba Rakshash. One of the brothers Bhima fell in love with Hadimba, the sister of the ruler.

Bhima could marry her only after killing the brother. Then later the pair-lived in the valley for about a year after which Bhima joined his brothers and mother. Eventually Hadimba gave birth to a son who was named 'Ghatotkachh'.


Till Ghatotkachh was a minor in age Hadimba looked after her country and then she retired to the inner hills, for meditation, when her son Ghatotkachh, a great warrior took over the country.Ghatotkachh was a good administrator. Dhungri was the place near Manali where Hadimba had resorted for meditation. There a temple of Hadimba in 'pagoda' style was raised and she became Devi Hadimba. Hadimba Devi had supernatural powers owing to 'tapashya' and was very much kind to her people.

Hadimba Devi Temple is usually dedicated to the wife of Bhim, who is one of the five Pandava brothers in the Indian epic Mahabharata. As the history and story by saints say that Bhim married Hadimba and they had a son. Later on, Hadimba left the place and became very much spiritual. Then the people who were her disciples later erected a temple in her respect, known as Hadimba Temple.

There are certain ceremonials where the patron deity is closely associated to be performed in the Dussehra festival of Kulu. The Dussehra festival is held at Dhalpur Maidan and as mentioned the idol of Raghunathji is taken there. From here the goddess Hadimba blesses the ceremonial horse which is called as 'Ghor Pooja'.

The pagoda type wooden temple of the goddess at Dhungri is according to Hira Nand Shastri, the antiquarian about 500 years old. No idol is enshrined and only a foot-print on a stone is kept within. Raja Bahadur Singh is one who built the temple which is commemorated by a fair held on the first of Shravan annually named as 'Bahadur Singh Re Jatar.' This Mela is also called as Saroohni, which is symbolic of the completion of the transplanting of paddy.

The temple is constructed in pagoda style and has no idol within. A footprint on stone is at the centre of worship. The temple is in the style of pagoda and comprises no idol within, albeit but has got some footprints which are engraved and are worshiped by devotees.

As per another legend and the story of saint the architect who built the temple had to lose his hand for this masterpiece. As the King was afraid of duplication of the master craft that has been made he ordered architect's hand to be cut and this anecdote might have some portion of reality and truth, as the temple being a mute witness.

All in all, a visit to this sacred place is very enriching experience. One can feel a kind of devotion, faith, belief and hospitality..

Near by tourist places to Hadimba devi temple Dalhousie Kullu Nanda Devi National Park Rishikesh

The Hadimba Temple is easily accessible to the visitors and the tourists in Himachal Pradesh by roadways. They can avail a bus service to reach the temple.