Ghatotkacha was one of the finest characters of the epic Mahabharata. Even though he was a rakshasa(demon), he was affectionate and kind. Being the son of the Pandava prince, Bheema and the rakshasi,Hidimbaa, he was only half rakshasa. From his mother he learnt all the arts of the rakshasas; from his fatherhe inherited an affectionate and chivalrous temperament. He was an invaluable ally to the Pandavas in timesof trouble, and appeared before them whenever they thought of him.Vatsala's wedding to Arjuna's son Abhimanyu is a frequently recurring theme in the ballads and stories ofSouth India. It was Ghatotkacha, who with his rakshasa hordes and their magical powers made the weddingof Abhimanyu and Vatsala possible.This story is not found in the Mahabharata or in Sanskrit literature. It seems to have evolved at a much laterdate, as a legend in Telegu and Kannada literature. The exponents of the art of Harikatha consider this storyas one of the most popular ones in their repertoire. It has been handed down by word of mouth forgenerations.This Amar Chitra Katha is derived partly from the Mahabharata and partly from legend.