Ghatotkacha shrine, Manali

One hundred and fifty meters from Hidimba Devi Mandir is her son Ghatotkacha's shrine. I was expecting to see another temple, but it was a simple shrine under a tree. I think its a Banni Mara (in Kannada) or Shami (in Hindi). Its botanical name is Prosopis cineraria. The area around the tree is kept free so for people to access it easily.

A board planted near the shrine reads as follows:
Dhungri village, Manali, the abode of the mighty warrior Ghatotkach
The birth of the mighty warrior Vir Ghatotkach was the result of divine design. He was born out of the wedlock of Devi Hidimba, a demon and Bhim one of the five Pandavas. It was his role in the battle of Mahabharat that tilted the victory in favor of the Pandavas. Vir Ghatotkach decimated the Kauravas and compelled them to summon Karn, the son of Surya to match his offensive. In the bitter clash that ensued Karn was forced to use his supreme Amogh weapon, which he had kept secure for use against Arjun. The exhaustion of the Amogh weapon made possible the subsequent victory of the Pandavas, ensuring the rule of Dharma and upholding the resolution of Lord Krishna.
Kaamkantha, the wife of Ghatotkach was a devout worshiper of Shakti who bestowed her with several boons. The legendary Barbarik, who could annihilate a whole army with a single shot of his arrow, was their brave son. Fulfilling the orders of Guru, Barbarik had taken a vow to support the losing side whether they are aliens or his kin. On being demanded he offered his head to lord Krishna and came to be known as Sheesh Dhaani Shyam Baba Khaatu who is worshiped as Baba Khaatu Shyam. Close by, at a short distance from the Delhi Public School Dhungri, is situated a beautiful temple with fine engraving dedicated to the worship of Baba Khaatu Shyam.
This place has been the altar of worship if Vir Ghatotkach since time immemorial. The ancient place under the tree had gone in to disrepair and was renovated in 1997. In the adjoining Seraj valley of Kullu there are several temples and other similar places of worship dedicated to the worship of Vir Ghatotkach.
---Veer Ghatotkach Gaon Committee Dhungri

On the tree were several pairs of horns. I think goats were offered during certain festivals and a mark of respect the animals' horns were left at the shrine.

At the shrine, there were several model houses.. wondering if the models were offerings on successfully building a house or with prayers for building a home. Well, different places, different traditions & customs.

It was nice to know about the two shrines dedicated to mother and son.. Hidimba and Ghatotkacha. A stone's throw from here is the Museum of Himachal Culture & Folk Art. Rajesh and I decided to check out the artifacts. It would be nice to a know about traditional life style of mountain people... their dresses, houses, kitchen utensils, jewelry, weapons, and so on.

From the museum, we head towards another ancient shrine- Manu temple. Manu refers to the archetypal man, or to the first man. All these temples are situated in Old Manali.
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