Kullu Dasehra festivities begin

Kullu witnessed the Rath Yatra as the seven-day-long Dasehra festival commenced at Dhalpur here . The idols of chief deity Lord Raghunath, Sita, Hanuman and other deities were brought to Dhalpur in a palanquin from their sanctum sanctorum in Sultanpur. These were then placed in a beautifully decorated wooden chariot called Rath. The descendants of erstwhile ruler of Rupi (Kullu) valley along with the head of family Maheshwar Singh led the Rath Yatra. The Rath was pulled by devotees from the northern end of the Dhalpur ground to the camp temple of Lord Raghunath in the middle of the ground. Palanquins of Gods and Goddesses with their bands participated in the Rath Yatra. Thousands of men, women and children in their traditional folk dresses, besides hundreds of tourists, gathered to watch the spectacular event. Traditional rituals will be carried out at the camp temple during the festivities. The administration and the health department had said that people coming for the festival should ensure that they have got both the shots of vaccination. Last year, only limited persons were allowed during the Rath Yatra and only seven deities were invited for the festival which had a major role in traditional rituals.

Kullu Dussehra: History and significance:

• The week-long Kullu Dussehra has traditionally been a majestic festival. One of the most popular events of Himachal Pradesh that attracts tourists from across the world, the Kullu Dussehra signifies the victory of good over evil. The main festivities are held in the Dhalpur Maidan at Kullu, known for its gorgeous landscape, beautiful waterfalls, mountain streams and ancient temples.
• The Kullu Dussehra goes back to the 17th century. According to legends, Kullu was ruled by Raja Jagat Singh in the 16th century. The king was told that someone called Durgadutt had beautiful white pearls and the King wanted the pearls. Even after Durgadutt tried to convince the King that he did not have the pearls, the Raja did not believe him. Durgadutt set himself on fire along with his family and cursed the Raja. The Raja felt guilty and on the advise of a learned Brahmin got a deity of Lord Raghunath from Ayodhya. While the pandit was on his way with the deity from Ayodhya, he went missing. After a long search the pandit and the deity were found on the banks of the Saryu River.
• When the pandit reached Kullu, the idol of Raghunathji was installed. The King prayed with a lot of devotion the curse was lifted. King Jagan Singh started holding the Kullu Dusshera festival from then onward. The celebrations became a symbol of happiness and abundance in the state with music, dance, colourful decorations and a mesmerizing ambience.
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• The Kullu Dussehra started on Sunday and it will end on October 21. On the last day, the chariot of Raghunathji is brought to the banks of Beas River where wood grass is burnt, signifying the burning of Lanka.