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| THE HIDIMBA DEVI TEMPLE |
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| MOTIF IN FRONT OF HIDIMBA DEVI TEMPLE |
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| THE GHATOTKATCH TEMPLE |
Manali is considered a favourite destination by tourists. People throng here mainly to spend their vacation in the lap of nature and enjoy the peace and tranquil environs of a hill station. But there are quite a few who visit this place for its religious importance. Just a couple of kilometres away from the main city in the Dhungri village is located the famous Hidimba Temple where people worship this female demon as a Forest Goddess or the Goddess of Nature. The locals believe that Goddess Hidimba protects them from natural calamity. The place is of mythological importance as it is associated with the Mahabharata. It is a tribute to the greatness of the Hindu religion which acknowledges a noble soul notwithstanding whether one belongs to the clan of the demons or of the devata. Hidimba joins the revered group of such pious souls as Bhakt Prahlad, Raja Bali and the likes who are worshipped even though they belonged to the demonic clan. This is symbolic of acceptance of the fact that if one mends his ways, leads a life of virtue and succeeds in killing the demon within, the kingdom of God- the Vaikuntha Dham is open to him and one may attain salvation.
As
per folklore the mighty Pandavas, who walked this earth during the Dwapar age,
visited this place during their exile. The place was the abode of the famous demon king
Hidimb. Hidimb challenged the Pandavas and in the ensuing fight was slain by
Bhima. After her brother’s death, Hidimba sought protection from the Pandavas
and on mother Kunti’s insistence, Bhima accepted to marry Hidimba. Ghatotkacha was born out of this wedlock.
Amidst
the mighty cedars on the outskirts of the village, Dhungri stands this wooden
temple dedicated to the Goddess Hidimba. It is said Hidimba meditated at this
place after Bhim left her to continue his onward journey with his brothers
during their exile. The wood is so impressively thick that even sunlight fails
to reach the ground below. An inscription engraved on a wooden panel at the
side of the entrance records that the temple was caused to be built by Raja
Bahadur Singh in a year corresponding to 1553 A.D. The sanctum sanctorum is
covered with a three-tiered roof constructed of narrow wooden planks one over
the other. The three lower ones are in the usual form projecting canopies,
showing traces of the wooden fringes here and there. A large metal umbrella
surmounted by a metal finial forming the fourth roof crowns the summit of the
temple. On the three sides, the temple is enclosed by a narrow verandah which is
raised to a height of about 12 feet above the ground. The façade and windows on
each side of it are richly carved and present a handsome appearance while over
the entrance is a wooden balcony. The quadruple wooden doorframe is ornamental with
carvings of various deities and decorative devices such as knots, scrolls,
plait works, animal figures, pot and foliage etc. Mahisasurmardini and a
devotee with folded hands, Lord Vishnu with Goddess Lakshmi on Garuda are
depicted on the left side. The figure of Lord Ganesha is in the centre of the
lintel. On the beam above the lintel appears the Navagraha panel. The uppermost
part is decorated with a motif of Buddhist characters. In view of its historical
and architectural importance, the temple was declared protected as a monument of
national importance as per notification no.: 4/4/67 dated 18th April
1967.
Just
a furlong from the Hidimba temple is located the Ghatotkacha temple. The
Dhungri village is the abode of the mighty warrior Ghatotkacha. The birth of
the mighty warrior Ghatotkacha was the result of divine design. It was his role
in the battle of Mahabharata that tilted the victory in favour of the
Pandavas. Brave Ghatotkacha decimated the Kauravas and compelled them to summon
Karna, the son of Sun-God and Kunti to match his offensive. In the bitter clash
that ensued Karna was forced to use his supreme infallible weapon, which he had
kept secure for use against Arjun. The exhaustion of the infallible weapon made
possible the subsequent victory of the Pandavas, ensuring the rule of Dharma
and upholding the resolution of Lord Krishna.
Kaamkanthaka,
the wife of Ghatotkacha was a devout worshipper of Goddess Shakti who bestowed
her with several boons. The legendary Barbarik, who could annihilate a whole
army with a single shot of his arrow, was their brave son. Fulfilling the
orders of his Guru, Barbarik had taken a vow to support the losing side during
the Mahabharata war whether they were the Kauravas or his kin the
Pandavas. On being demanded he offered his head to Lord Krishna and came to be
known as Sheesh Dhani Baba Khaatu, who is worshipped as Baba Khaatu Shyam. A
beautiful temple with fine engravings dedicated to the worship of Baba
Khaatu Shyam is located close by in the Dhungri village.
This
place has been the altar of worship of Veer Ghatotkacha since time immemorial.
The ancient place under the tree had gone into disrepair and was renovated in
1997. In the adjoining Seraj Valley of Kullu, there are several temples and
other similar places of worship dedicated to the worship of Veer Ghatotkacha.
The
Hidimba temple and the Ghatotkatcha temple is testimony to the fact that even a
demon of the noble soul is worth worshipping. It inspires people to tread the path
of truth and nobility. It is a great lesson for people of all ages.
(Published in 'The Speaking Tree', 9th January 2022)
