Hidimbi

The story begins in the Lākṣāgṛha of the Mahābhārata after the Pāṇḍavās reached a dense forest. Exhausted from their travels, they all fell asleep at night, except for Bhīma who kept watch.

In the same forest lived Hiḍimbī and her brother Hiḍimbā, a very powerful rakshasa. He smelled the Pāṇḍavās at a distance and as usual asked the goddess Hiḍimbī to lure the well-built Bhīma into a trap so he could eat him. Hiḍimbī confronted Bhīma and instead fell in love with him. She assumed the form of a very beautiful lady and approached Bhīma, expressing her desire to marry him by revealing her true identity, as well as her brother's intentions. Bhīma confronted Hiḍimbā but was soon overpowered. It was only with the supernatural powers of Hiḍimbī, supporting Bhīma from a distance, that he could overcome and slay Hiḍimbā. Kuntī and other Pāṇḍavās all watched the duel from a distance.[1]

Yudhishthira explaining the rules of marriage to Hiḍimbī

After killing Hiḍimba, Bhīma married Hiḍimbī. Bhīma decided to live with her till a child was born. Hiḍimbī agreed and they married. Within a year, Hiḍimbī gave birth to a son. They named him Ghaṭotkaca as his head resembled a pot. Ghaṭotkaca went on to become a great warrior and an important figure in the Mahābhārata war.[2]

There is a temple in Manali in Himachal Pradesh dedicated to the worship of Hidimbi. According to the legend, Hidimbi stayed back in the forest to perform penance and attain the status of a Goddess.[3]

• Hidimba Devi Temple
• Hidimba
• Kaleshwari Group of Monuments