Hidimba Devi Temple

A couple of kilometers from Manali (follow signs to the temple) there's a spectacular forest of cedars and a beautiful woodland walk leading to a temple pagoda dedicated to Hidimba Devi. May 14 is the birthday of the goddess, a festival where women dress in colorful costumes and perform a ritual dance to appease Hidimba). Built in 1503 this wooden shrine is on a huge rock protruding from the earth and is still today as important to the people. Legend says that Maharaja Bahadur Singh, who commanded its construction, was so happy he ordered the craftsmen's right hands to be cut off so they could not repeat it.