Lord Rama’s chariot rolls out, stage set for weeklong Dussehra

Kullu: As the effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnath went up in flames on Vijayadashmi across the country, weeklong Dussehra celebrations were kicked off with the rolling out of Lord Raghunath’s chariot at Dhalpur Dussehra ground here on Tuesday.
Over 250 palanquins of deities, along with thousands of followers, reached Dhalpur to take part in the Rath Yatra.Lakhs of devotees including tourists thronged Kullu to witness this century-old cultural and religious festival. They were seen trying to pull the chariot as even getting to touch its ropes is considered auspicious.
The rituals start at the royal palace of Kullu and then the Lord Raghunath idol is brought to the Rath ground for the procession.
The entire valley will be echoing the divine sound of drums and trumpets for seven days, while the many of the devotees will camp here till October 14. On seventh day, the chariot will be wheeled to the banks of the Beas to perform the final rituals and will be brought back to the Rath ground.
Unlike other parts of the country, effigies are not burnt in Kullu. Dussehra, which conveys the message of victory of good over evil, is marked in Kullu by gathering of deities, their prayers, processions and religious ceremonies. Thousands of tourists and research scholars from across the globe have also arrived here to witness the unique blend of culture, tradition, religion and folk art.
Daniel Davis, a tourist from England, said has come to India to especially see Kullu Dussehra. “I have read about Dussehra many times in books and on the internet. It is amazing that people bring their deities on palanquins and celebrate festival with them. A person in a cultural museum told me here that nothing has changed in this festival for over 350 years,” he said.
While religious ceremonies will continue in Dhalpur ground for seven days, cultural programmes at Lal Chand Prarthi Kala Kendra will see artists from all corners of the country performing for a week.
Himachal Pradesh governor Bandaru Dattatreya inaugurated the cultural programmes. International folk dance competition will also be held here.
Dussehra committee vice-chairman and Kullu deputy commissioner Dr Richa Verma said invitations were sent to 331 deities and over 250 deities have already reached the Dussehra venue. “The festival has started with great fervour. All arrangements for comfortable stay have been made at all camps of the deities. Cultural programmes have also started,” she said.
According to historians, the idol of Lord Raghunath was brought to Kullu from Ayodhya in 1651 when Raja Jagat Singh was the ruler of Kullu state. Dussehra celebrations in Kullu started after 1660 when the Raja invited all deities before Lord Raghunath. The people here are still following this custom. Kullu Dussehra was declared an international festival in 1972.