Dhungri Forest Festival

One of the most popular festivals of Himachal Pradesh is the Dhungri (Mountain forest)festival. The three-day, vibrant festival in Manali, Himachal Pradesh, is a photographer’s delight. This is the day to observe the birthday of Hidimba Devi (The wife of one of the Pandavas, Bhima) where she is believed to have lived. This temple was built in 1538 by Maharaja Bahadur of Rajasthan. The festival is a good opportunity to get a glimpse into the rich and fascinating culture of the Kullu region and Himachal as a whole. People from nearby villages arrive in colorful processions and parades, carrying with them their gods and goddesses dressed in silk and garlands, in marvelously carved wooden Raaths (chariots). All of this revelry is accompanied by the playing of large brass trumpets known as KARNALS. On this important occasion, people dress in beautiful traditional attires to honor and worship their deity. The people invoke Goddess Hidimba’s blessings on them and also pray for the safety of the travelers who pass through the Dhungri forests.