Manali's Hadimba Temple is one of the most photographed shrines in Himachal, its dark cedar-wood pagoda rising out of a forest of towering deodars. But once a year, in May, the forest around it comes alive with drums, trumpets and colour for the Doongri Mela — the fair held in honour of the goddess Hadimba Devi. It is one of the loveliest spring festivals in the valley, and an easy trip from Naggar.
The goddess and the legend
In the Mahabharata, Hadimba (Hidimba) was a forest-dwelling demoness who married the Pandava prince Bhima and bore him a son, the mighty warrior Ghatotkacha. After Bhima left, Hadimba is said to have ruled the land wisely, then retired to the Dhungri forest for a life of meditation and austerity. Local belief holds that she attained supernatural powers and came to be worshipped by the people of the valley — who built her a temple and honour her to this day as a guardian goddess.
The temple
The Hadimba Devi Temple is a four-tiered pagoda covered in intricate wooden carvings, built in 1553 by Raja Bahadur Singh. Set in the cool Dhungri (Doongri) cedar forest above Manali town, it is atmospheric on any ordinary day — and utterly transformed during the mela.
What happens at the Doongri Mela
The fair runs for about three days in May, coinciding with the fresh green of spring. Local communities gather for processions, folk dances and cultural programmes that showcase traditional Kullu and Manali culture. Chorus singing introduces visitors to authentic Himachali folk music, while trumpet and drum players accompany the processions through the forest. It is a warm, community celebration rather than a tourist spectacle, which is exactly what makes it special.
How to visit from Naggar
The temple sits just above Manali's Mall Road, roughly an hour to an hour and a half from Naggar by car or bus up the valley. That makes the Doongri Mela a very comfortable day trip: drive or bus up in the morning, spend the day among the deodars and the celebrations, and be back in quiet Naggar by evening. If you'd like a calm village base away from Manali's May-season crowds, Ghar in the Hills is a homely homestay right in Naggar.
Practical tips
- May is peak season in Manali, so start early to beat traffic and parking queues near the temple.
- Dress modestly and follow local customs; this is an active place of worship.
- The forest is cool even in summer — carry a light layer.
- Ask before photographing rituals or performers up close.
Catching the Doongri Mela is a chance to see the Hadimba temple not as a monument but as a living heart of the valley's faith. Plan your spring trip around it, and let Naggar be your peaceful base. Book your stay at Ghar in the Hills to wake up to orchard and valley views each morning.