Hidimbi

Hidimbi was the sister of Hidimba, an asura and cannibal. In the Hindu epic Mahabharata, Hidimbi is the wife of Pandava brother Bhima and mother of Ghatotkacha. She meets Bhima in the 18th Parva of the Adi Parva. Hidimbi is also referred to as Pallavi.

Story of Hidimbi
The story began after the Pandavas escaped from the Lakshagraha and reached a dense forest. Tired and exhausted, they all fell asleep at night except Bhima who kept a watch. In the same forest lived Hidimbi along with her Raksha brother Hidimba, who was a very powerful demon. He smelled the Pandavas resting at a distance and as usual asked Hidimbi to lure the well-built Bhima into getting eaten. Hidimbi confronted Bhima and instead fell in love with him. She assumed the form of a very beautiful lady, approached Bhima and expressed her desire to marry him. She also revealed her true identity and her brother"s intentions. Bhima refused to accept her as his wife and confronted Hidimbi. A great fight took place which resulted in Hidimba getting killed.

After killing Hidimba, Bhima wanted to kill Hidimbi too as he thought that she might want to avenge her brother"s death. Yudhishthira stopped Bhima from committing such a deed. Hidimbi then begged Kunti to allow Bhima to marry her as she was deeply in love with him and also because she was all alone now. Kunti ordered Bhima to marry Hidimbi. Bhima agreed on the condition that he could leave her once she bore a child with him. Hidimbi agreed and they got married. Within a year, Hidimbi gave birth to a son. They named him Ghatotkacha as his head resembled a pot.

In certain parts of Himachal Pradesh, Hidimbi is worshipped as a goddess. There is a temple dedicated to her in Manali.

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