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Hadimba or Dhungiri temple in
Manali is one of the
most important temples in the region. This four story wooden temple is
located in the middle of a forest called the Dhungiri Van Vihar. From the
name of the forest parkland this temple derives its name. This temple was
erected in 1553 and is dedicated to Goddess Hadimba.
THE LEGEND OF HADIMBA TEMPLE
Hadimba,
a 'Rakshashi' in the Mahabharat has been deified and is worshipped in this
area. According to Mahabharat 'Hadimb Rakshash' ruled some of the
sub-mountainous tracts of the Himalayas. His sister was Hadimba or
Hidimba.
In their wanderings the Pandavas, along with their mother, after escaping
from the wax house unhurt came to the territory of Hadimb Rakshash. Bhima
fell in love with Hadimba, the sister of the ruler. Bhima could marry her
only after killing the brother.
The pair-lived in the valley for about a year after which Bhima joined
his brothers and mother. Hadimba gave birth to a son who was named
'Ghototkachh'. Till Ghototkachh was a minor, Hadimba looked after her
country. She retired to the inner hills, for meditation, when her son
Ghototkachh, a great warrior took over the country. Ghototkachh was a good
administrator.
Dhungri was the place near Manali where Hadimba had resorted for
meditation. A temple of Hadimba in 'pagoda' style was raised and she
became Devi Hadimba. Hadimba had supernatural powers owing to 'tapashya'
and was kind to her people.
Hadimba became the patron-deity of the Rajas of
Kulu . The Tilak
ceremony of every Raja of Kulu has to be done with the permission of the
goddess and after worshipping her a, buffalo is sacrificed.
Certain ceremonials where the patron deity is closely associated have 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 his temple the goddess Hadimba blesses the ceremonial horse.
The ceremony 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 who built the temple is commemorated by a fair held on the first of
Savan 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.
Hadimba goddess has been humanized by the people and made their own. On
the first of 'Jaith', or 14th of May, another Mela is held to celebrate
birthday of the goddess Hadimba. This Mela is held in the Dhungri forest.
It lasts for three days. Thousands of men, women and children participate
in the Mela. Rice-bear (Lungri) flows among both men and women who make
themselves merry in music and dance.
There is another indigenous ceremony. The deities, Kartikswami of Simsa,
Chhandal Rishi of Parsha, shrishti Narayan of Aleo, Shriganh of Jagatsukh,
Vishnu of Shajla, Maladevi of Sial and Sankh Narayan of Nasogi, are
brought in processions with proper music by their followers to Dhungri. On
the 4th day, the fair shifts to the temple of Manu in the village
Manali . The Dhungri
forest provides a grand setting to the assemblage of hill women in their
colorful clothes.