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The Hadimba or Dhungri temple is a four storey wooden temple that is quite renowned for its beautifully carved doorway. Nestled among the shady glades of Dhungri Van Vihar, the temple flaunts of a Pagoda architecture, which is dedicated to goddess Hadimba. The temple has been built according to the 500 year old antiquarian, Hira Nand shashtri. The temple doesn’t house any idol but a stone that shows a footprint of some sage.
Hadimba is the patron deity of the rajas of Kullu Valley, and the Tilak ceremony was held by the kings, during which a buffalo was immolated.
Dhalpur Maidan in Manali holds the festival of Dussehra or ‘Ghor Puja’, during which the ceremonial horse is believed to be blessed by Hadimba. Another festival is held in the Dhungri forest that lasts about three days. A number of people from different parts of the country throng to the temple for paying a visit to the goddess.
Legend has it that Pandavas during their wanderings in the forest with their mother Kunti arrived at the territory of Hadimb Rakshash. Bhim, the second of the Pandava brothers fell in love with the sister of Hadimb, Hadimba. However in a conflict Bhim killed her brother and then married her. The couple lived together in the valley for almost a year, after which the Pandavas fled along with their mother. Hadimba gave birth to a baby boy and named him Ghatotkachh, who became in the future a good administrator. It is believed that Dhungri was the area where Hadimba had come to meditate in her yesteryears. The goddess is believed to have supernatural powers due to her strong ‘tapasya’
