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Last edited January 23, 2026
>Anon423
Changing short description from "Powerful demon queen of the Mahābhārata" to "Powerful demon king of the Mahābhārata" (Shortdesc helper)
content update
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{{for|his sister also sometimes called Hiḍimbā|Hidimbi}}
{{for|his sister also sometimes called Hiḍimbā|Hidimbi}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox deity<!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Hindu mythology-->
{{Infobox deity<!--Bharatpedia:WikiProject Hindu mythology-->
| type       = Hindu
| type = Hindu
| image       = Death of Hidimba.jpg
| image =  
| alt         =  
| alt =  
| caption     = Death of Hiḍimba
| caption = Death of Hiḍimba
| name       = Hiḍimba
| name = Hiḍimba
| affiliation = [[Rakshasa]]
| affiliation = [[Rakshasa]]
| Devanagari = हिडिम्ब
| Devanagari = हिडिम्ब
| Sanskrit_transliteration = Hidimba
| Sanskrit_transliteration = Hiḍimba
| region     =  
| region =  
| predecessor =
| predecessor =  
| successor  = [[Bhima]]
| siblings = [[Hidimbi]]
| siblings   = [[Hidimbi]]
| abode = [[Kamyaka Forest|Kāmyaka Forest]]
| abode       = [[Kamyaka Forest|Kāmyaka Forest]]
| consort =  
| consort     =  
}}
}}
'''Hidimba''' ({{lang-sa|हिडिम्ब}}, {{IAST|Hiḍimba}}) was a powerful demon king who is mentioned in the epic [[Mahābhārata]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.himvani.com/688/hidimba-the-unsung-heroine-of-mahabharata/|title=Hidimba: The unsung heroine of Mahabharata|last=HimVani|first=Team|date=2007-03-28|website=HimVani|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-03}}</ref> He was killed by [[Bhima]] and this is recounted in the 9th sub-parva (Hidimba-vadha Parva) of the [[Adi Parva]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Hidimva-vadha Parva: Section CLIV|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01155.htm|access-date=2021-03-10|website=www.sacred-texts.com}}</ref>
'''Hidimba''' ({{langx|sa|हिडिम्ब|Hiḍimba}}) was a powerful demon king who is mentioned in the epic [[Mahābhārata]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.himvani.com/688/hidimba-the-unsung-heroine-of-mahabharata/|title=Hidimba: The unsung heroine of Mahabharata|last=HimVani|first=Team|date=2007-03-28|website=HimVani|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-03}}</ref> He was killed by [[Bhima]] and this is recounted in the 9th sub-parva (Hidimba-vadha Parva) of the [[Adi Parva]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Hidimva-vadha Parva: Section CLIV|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01155.htm|access-date=2021-03-10|website=www.sacred-texts.com}}</ref>


== Death ==
== Death ==
The demon Hidimba lived in a forest along with his sister Hidimbi. While travelling, the [[Pandava|Pandavas]] stopped in that forest to rest while Bhima stood on guard. Hidimba ate human flesh and became eager to devour them. She sent Hidimbi to kill the Pandavas and to bring them back to him. Hidimbi went on his instructions, but her mind changed on seeing Bhima. She assumed the form of a beautiful woman and told about her brother to Bhima. She proposed him to become his husband.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=Mahabharata|publisher=[[Penguin Books]]|year=2015|isbn=9780143425144|volume=1|pages=265-272|translator-last=Debroy|translator-first=Bibek}}</ref>
The demon Hidimba lived during  a forest along with his sister Hidimbi. While travelling, the [[Pandava|Pandavas]] stopped in that forest to rest while Bhima stood on guard. Hidimba ate human flesh and became eager to devour them. He sent [[Hidimbi]] to kill the Pandavas and to bring them back to him. Hidimbi went on his instructions, but her mind changed on seeing Bhima. She assumed the form of a beautiful woman and told Bhima about her brother, whilst also requesting him to marry her.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=Mahabharata|publisher=[[Penguin Books]]|year=2015|isbn=9780143425144|volume=1|pages=265–272|translator-last=Debroy|translator-first=Bibek}}</ref>


Hidimba got furious at his sister and rushed towards her to kill her. Bhima interjected Hidimba and challenged him to fight him instead. The sleeping Pandavas woke up on hearing the sounds of them fighting and offered to help Bhima in killing Hidimba but Bhima asked them to watch the duel as spectators. [[Arjuna]] reminded Bhima that daybreak was about to set in and the demons become stronger at that time and Bhima should kill Hidimba as soon as possible. Bhima ended up crushing and tearing Hidimba into two pieces.<ref name=":0" />
Hidimba got furious at his sister and rushed towards her to kill her. Bhima interjected Hidimba and challenged him to fight him instead. The sleeping Pandavas woke up on hearing the sounds of them fighting and offered to help Bhima in killing Hidimba but Bhima asked them to watch the duel as spectators. [[Arjuna]] reminded Bhima that daybreak was about to set in and that demons become stronger at that time. So, he advised Bhima to kill Hidimba as soon as possible. Thereafter, Bhima ended up crushing and tearing Hidimba into two pieces.<ref name=":0" />


==Temples==
==Temples==
There are a few temples dedicated to Hiḍimbā's sister [[Hidimbi|Hiḍimbī]] in [[Himachal Pradesh]].
There are a few temples dedicated to Hidimba's sister [[Hidimbi|Hidimbi]] in [[Himachal Pradesh]].


The most famous temple is the [[Hidimba Devi Temple|Hiḍimbā Devi Temple]] in [[Manali, Himachal Pradesh|Manali]]. Some of the sacred objects enshrined here include chariots, footprints and a small statue. Hiḍimbā is one of the most powerful deities in [[Kullu Valley]]. The pagoda-shaped wooden temple, situated in the [[Deodar forests]], has intricately-carved wooden doors and wooden [[shikhara]], is believed to be over 500 years old.
The most famous temple is the [[Hidimba Devi Temple|Hiḍimbā Devi Temple]] in [[Manali, Himachal Pradesh|Manali]]. Some of the sacred objects enshrined here include chariots, footprints and a small statue. Hidimbi is one of the most powerful deities in [[Kullu Valley]]. The pagoda-shaped wooden temple, situated in the [[Deodar forests]], has intricately carved wooden doors and wooden [[shikhara]]. It is believed to be over 500 years old.


==Festivals==
==Festivals==
Believers may travel to the town of [[Kullu]] to participate in the annual festival of [[Kullu Dussehra|Dussehra]], where Hiḍimbā's chariot leads a rally of gods from all over the Kullu valley, escorting the main chariot of [[Rāma|Raghunāth]]. At the end of the seven-day festivities, on the "Lanka Dahan" day, sacrifices are made to Hiḍimbā. Ghaṭotkaca is also a popular deity in the neighboring [[Banjari, Gopalganj|Banjar]] village and [[Sirajganj District|Siraj]] district.
Believers may travel to the town of [[Kullu]] to participate in the annual festival of [[Kullu Dussehra|Dussehra]], where Hidimbi's chariot leads a rally of gods from all over the Kullu valley, escorting the main chariot of [[Rāma|Raghunāth]]. At the end of the seven-day festivities, on the Lanka Dahan day, sacrifices are made to Hidimbi. [[Ghatotkacha|Ghaṭōtkaca]] is also a popular deity in the neighboring [[Banjari, Gopalganj|Banjar]] village and [[Sirajganj District|Siraj]] district.


==See also==
==See also==
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[[Category:Rakshasa in the Mahabharata]]
[[Category:Rakshasa in the Mahabharata]]
[[Category:Characters in the Mahabharata]]
[[Category:Characters in the Mahabharata]]
{{Hindu-myth-stub}}

Revision as of 04:06, 23 January 2026


Hiḍimba
Devanagariहिडिम्ब
Sanskrit transliterationHiḍimba
AffiliationRakshasa
AbodeKāmyaka Forest
Personal information
SiblingsHidimbi

Hidimba (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.) was a powerful demon king who is mentioned in the epic Mahābhārata.[1] He was killed by Bhima and this is recounted in the 9th sub-parva (Hidimba-vadha Parva) of the Adi Parva.[2]

Death

The demon Hidimba lived during a forest along with his sister Hidimbi. While travelling, the Pandavas stopped in that forest to rest while Bhima stood on guard. Hidimba ate human flesh and became eager to devour them. He sent Hidimbi to kill the Pandavas and to bring them back to him. Hidimbi went on his instructions, but her mind changed on seeing Bhima. She assumed the form of a beautiful woman and told Bhima about her brother, whilst also requesting him to marry her.[3]

Hidimba got furious at his sister and rushed towards her to kill her. Bhima interjected Hidimba and challenged him to fight him instead. The sleeping Pandavas woke up on hearing the sounds of them fighting and offered to help Bhima in killing Hidimba but Bhima asked them to watch the duel as spectators. Arjuna reminded Bhima that daybreak was about to set in and that demons become stronger at that time. So, he advised Bhima to kill Hidimba as soon as possible. Thereafter, Bhima ended up crushing and tearing Hidimba into two pieces.[3]

Temples

There are a few temples dedicated to Hidimba's sister Hidimbi in Himachal Pradesh.

The most famous temple is the Hiḍimbā Devi Temple in Manali. Some of the sacred objects enshrined here include chariots, footprints and a small statue. Hidimbi is one of the most powerful deities in Kullu Valley. The pagoda-shaped wooden temple, situated in the Deodar forests, has intricately carved wooden doors and wooden shikhara. It is believed to be over 500 years old.

Festivals

Believers may travel to the town of Kullu to participate in the annual festival of Dussehra, where Hidimbi's chariot leads a rally of gods from all over the Kullu valley, escorting the main chariot of Raghunāth. At the end of the seven-day festivities, on the Lanka Dahan day, sacrifices are made to Hidimbi. Ghaṭōtkaca is also a popular deity in the neighboring Banjar village and Siraj district.

See also

References

  1. HimVani, Team (28 March 2007). "Hidimba: The unsung heroine of Mahabharata". HimVani. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  2. "The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Hidimva-vadha Parva: Section CLIV". www.sacred-texts.com. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Mahabharata. Vol. 1. Translated by Debroy, Bibek. Penguin Books. 2015. pp. 265–272. ISBN 9780143425144.

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