.

Hidimba Devi Temple, Manali, Himachal Pradesh, originally uploaded by Himanshu Khagta.

Hidimba Devi Temple of Manali, covered in snow.

Accroding to Mahabharata, a powerful "rākshas" (demon), Hidimb, attacked them, and in the ensuing fight, Bhima, the strongest Pandav, killed him. Bhima and Hidimb's sister, Hidimba, then got married and had a son, Ghatotkacha, (who later proved to be a great warrior in the war against Kauravas). When Bhima and his brothers returned from exile, Hidimba did not accompany him, but stayed back and did tapasyā (a combination of meditation, prayer, and penance) so as to eventually attain the status of a goddess.

It is said that this is the place where she meditated. Inside this temple their is a large stone, under which lies a mural of Hidimba Devi.