Hidimba Devi Temple

📍Manali, Himachal Pradesh

A striking pagoda-style wooden temple set in a deodar cedar forest at Manali, dedicated to Hidimba Devi, the wife of the Pandava Bhima. It is one of the most photographed heritage sites in Himachal.

Primary Deity

Hidimba

Location

Manali, Himachal Pradesh

Best Time to Visit

March to June and September to November; the temple is beautiful year-round, and the Dhungri fair (May) is a local highlight.

Significance

Hidimba Devi, a rakshasa princess who married Bhima and is revered in the Mahabharata, is worshipped as a powerful local goddess and guardian of the Kullu valley. The temple holds special importance for the region's royal traditions and the famous Kullu Dussehra. Its unique architecture and forest setting make it a treasured cultural and spiritual landmark. Devotees seek the goddess's blessings for protection and prosperity.

About

Built in 1553 by Maharaja Bahadur Singh, the Hidimba temple rises in a distinctive four-tiered pagoda form with a conical metal spire, its wooden doorway and eaves covered in intricate carvings of dancers, deities and mythical figures. Unusually, the sanctum enshrines not an idol but a sacred footprint on a rock, worshipped as the goddess. Surrounded by towering cedars in the Dhungri forest, the temple has an atmosphere both mystical and serene, and is closely tied to local royal and folk traditions. Nearby stands a shrine to Hidimba's son Ghatotkacha.

Nearby Temples

🛕

Shiva

Baijnath Temple

📍 Baijnath, Himachal Pradesh

A beautifully carved 13th-century Nagara-style Shiva temple on the banks of the Binwa river in the Kangra Valley, where Shiva is worshipped as Vaidyanath, the lord of healing.

54.7 km away

🛕

Shakti PeethaShakti

Brijeshwari Temple

📍 Kangra, Himachal Pradesh

An ancient and much-plundered Shakti Peetha in the Kangra Valley, revered as the place where the left breast of Goddess Sati fell. It has been rebuilt many times through a turbulent history.

87.4 km away

Shakti PeethaShakti

Jwala Devi Temple

📍 Kangra, Himachal Pradesh

A one-of-a-kind Shakti Peetha where the goddess is worshipped not as an idol but as eternal natural flames rising from the rock, marking where Sati's tongue fell.

90.5 km away

🛕

Shakti PeethaShakti

Naina Devi Temple

📍 Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh

A hilltop Shakti Peetha where the eyes (nain) of Sati are said to have fallen, overlooking the vast blue Govind Sagar lake. It is one of the most beloved Devi shrines of the Himalayan foothills.

121.6 km away

Shakti PeethaShakti

Chintpurni Temple

📍 Una, Himachal Pradesh

A much-loved Shakti Peetha in the Una hills where Sati's forehead is said to have fallen. Its name means 'she who fulfils all worries and wishes' (chinta).

125.6 km away

🛕

Shakti PeethaShakti

Mansa Devi Temple Panchkula

📍 Panchkula, Haryana

A popular Shakti shrine on the Shivalik foothills near Chandigarh, dedicated to the wish-fulfilling goddess Mansa Devi. Its Navratri fairs are among the largest in North India.

166.9 km away

Frequently Asked Questions

Which deity is worshipped at Hidimba Devi Temple?

Hidimba Devi Temple is primarily dedicated to Hidimba.

Where is Hidimba Devi Temple located?

Hidimba Devi Temple is located in Manali, Himachal Pradesh.

What is the best time to visit Hidimba Devi Temple?

March to June and September to November; the temple is beautiful year-round, and the Dhungri fair (May) is a local highlight.

Why is Hidimba Devi Temple significant?

Affiliate disclosure: Sanatan Hindu participates in the Amazon Associates Programme and the CueLinks affiliate network (Myntra & Flipkart). This page contains affiliate links, if you click and buy, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure.