Thousands gather to see start of 7-day Kullu Dussehra

Kullu: The seven-day international Kullu Dussehra festival got off to a spectacular start on Sunday with the procession of Lord Raghunath’s chariot, in the presence of hundreds of local deities, on the Dhalpur grounds of Kullu town. Thousands of people had gathered on the first day of the festival as the wooden chariot of Lord Raghunath, the presiding deity of Kullu Dussehra, was pulled by devotees from one end of the Dussehra grounds to the other. Prior to reaching the Dussehra grounds, the deities had first visited the Ragunath temple to pay their obeisance and also the palace of the erstwhile royal family of Kullu in Sultanpur. This year, the district administration has invited 332 deities, which have started arriving at the Dussehra ground in Dhalpur from different valleys of the district including Banjar, Sainj, Parvati and Kullu. Carried by devotees in palanquins, some of the deities reach Kullu to take part in the Dussehra festivities from as far off places as Anni, covering a distance of more than 100 kms. The Kullu administration has made arrangements for the stay of deities and devotees on the Dussehra grounds only where they will remain till the festivities conclude on Oct 19. Other than the deities, the other attraction of the Dussehra this year will be the participation of approximately 20 international cultural troupes in the fair. So far, cultural groups from Russia, Sri Lanka, USA, Indonesia, and Myanmar have confirmed their participation. Additionally, artists from Assam, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, and Haryana will also be showcasing their performances. Cultural groups from Himachal Pradesh are also scheduled to perform during the fair. Several foreign diplomats are also expected to attend the Dussehra festival.
A cultural parade would be also organized on October 14, and the Kullu Carnival would take place on Oct 19, featuring tableaus. To maintain law and order during the festival, 300 Home Guard personnel and 870 police jawans have been deployed by the police department. The administration has also set up over a dozen parking lots in and around Kullu for the festival. Known for its age-old festive customs and rituals, Kullu Dussehra is one of the oldest festivals and started during the reign of King Jagat Singh, who ruled from 1637 to 1672.
Animal sacrifice also used to be part of the Dussehra festival rituals, but it was banned in 2014 following orders from the Himachal Pradesh high court.