Every May in Manali, in northern India, a large festival takes place at the Hadimba Temple in Dhungiri forest in celebration of the Goddess Hadimba. The temple, a four-tiered pagoda, was built in 1553 and has a façade of wood carvings. It's one of the most important temples in the area and the festival attracts people from all over the region.
Each village has its own gods and goddesses, and these are dressed up by the villagers and carried in procession to the festival to join in the celebrations. Beats of traditional music fill the air and accompany the procession.
At the temple, local artists also perform the Kulu Natti folk dance. The festival involves much singing and dancing, which continues on for days as the gods make their way around various temples in Manali. It provides an interesting glimpse of local culture.
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