The Kullu and Manali

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Manali

Manu Temple

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Manu Temple

Manali is named after the sage Manu who was the creator of human race on the earth and it is believed that he meditated here. This is supposed to be the only temple of Manu in India.Manu Temple is located in old Manali, at a distance of three kilometers from the main market. The temple is dedicated to the Indian sage Manu, who is said to be the creator of the world and the writer of Manusmriti.Manu Rishi was the creator of human race on the earth. The Manu temple is 1.5 km from main old manali bridge .One can really take help of local auto rickshaw as the way is quite steep. It is believed that the idol was found buried in the courtyard of the house of a person named guari of dhauni lineage and the present temple has been built on the same spot. on 6th day of phalgun the famous phagli fair is held here in honour of Manu .The way to manu temple is really colourfull with complete range of traditional arts ,clothes,silver jwellery etc.

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Hadimba Temple

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Hadimba Temple

This is one of the most prominent tourist attractions in Manali. Dedicated to Goddess Hadimba, the temple has a pagoda shaped roof. The doorway is adorned with carvings of legendary figures and symbols. Manali has many attractions but the chief centre of interest, historically and archeologically, is undoubtedly theDHOONGRI TEMPLE dedicated to goddess Hadimba or Hadimba Devi

.Legend states that the brother of the goddess, a demon named Hadimb used to rule some of the sub-mountainous tracts of the Himalayas. His sister, Hadimba fell in love with Bhima- one of the Pandavas who happened to step into the territory of Hadimb having escaped the wax house unhurt. On Hadimba’s request, Bhima killed her brother and married her. Both of them lived in the valley for about a year after which Bhima joined his brothers and mother. During the course of time, Hadimba gave birth to a son who was named ‘Ghatotkachh’.

Hadimba ruled the region till her son was grown up enough to look after his subjects. After which, she retired to the inner hills of Manali for meditation. Her resort for meditation came to be known as Dhungri and a temple was raised there to commemorate her supernatural powers. Since then, she became the patron-deity of Kullu kings. The throne taking ceremony of every king has to be necessarily done with the permission of the goddess. It is customary to sacrifice a buffalo after worshiping her for a king.
She is also a very important deity in the celebrations of the biggest celebration at the valley- Kullu Dussehra as the celebrations cannot begin before her arrival. The ceremonial horse of the festival is also blessed by the goddess from her temple only.

This 500 years old temple is not enshrined with any idol. There just is a foot print in stone which is worshipped by the people. The people of the valley celebrate the birthday of their goddess on the first of ‘Jaith’ or 14th of May. Held in the Dhungri forest, this fair lasts for three days. Thousands of men, women and children partake in this grand fair and make themselves merry in music and dance.

It has four-tiered Pagoda shaped roof and the doorway is carved with legendary figures and symbols. Hadimba Devi Temple in Manali is located amidst wooden forest of deodar is about 2.5 kms from the Manali Tourist Office. It is a pleasant experience to stroll in the Hadimba Devi Temple complex which was built in 1533 A.D. A large festival is held here in May every year.Hadimba temple area offers you a complete scenic view of deodar forest which give relaxation to a person soul .If a person is lucky he is able to see the common tradition held there (sacrifice of animal)bali.This the temple where liquor is presented to god instead of prashad by locals.