KULU-MANALI

The simple people with an artistic beat of mind and religious poise rush to the temples of Raghunathji, Dhoongri temple of Devi Hidimba and others. Naturally the scenic beauty and sublimity of the mountains, valleys and lush greens suggest a benevolent Adya-Shakti or primeval energy and that craving of the mind is supplied by Durga, the divine consort of Lord Siva, the sombre God of Tandava-Nritya.

The classification of the different types of temples of Kulu-Manali complex does not pose great difficulty and it followsgenerally the pattern indicated earlier as to the temples in general in Himachal Pradesh. Accurate chronology as to when one temple type predominated or when the other type came up and whether the second type was meant to supplant the other will be a futile exercise in academic guesses.

Even if another type came up it did never supplant the other type. The Hindu temples are not pulled down and at their worst are left in neglect. It is, however, well known that Jain temples are often pulled down for a reconstruction. In this Kulu- Manali complex as well as in the other areas of Himachal Pradesh it is quite usual to find neglected temples in the midst of forest or at the niches of mountains without any icons or deities.

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