Flash255 at 22:36, 22 January 2026

2026-01-22T22:36:44Z

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{{Short description|Powerful demon king of the Mahābhārata}}
{{for|his sister also sometimes called Hiḍimbā|Hidimbi}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox deity
| type = Hindu
| image =
| alt =
| caption = Death of Hiḍimba
| name = Hiḍimba
| affiliation = [[Rakshasa]]
| Devanagari = हिडिम्ब
| Sanskrit_transliteration = Hiḍimba
| region =
| predecessor =
| siblings = [[Hidimbi]]
| abode = [[Kamyaka Forest|Kāmyaka Forest]]
| consort =
}}
'''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 ==
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 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==
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. 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 [[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==
*[[Hidimba Devi Temple]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Mahābhārata}}
{{HinduMythology}}

[[Category:Rakshasa in the Mahabharata]]
[[Category:Characters in the Mahabharata]]

Hidimba - Revision history

Flash255 at 22:36, 22 January 2026