With ending of Dussehra festival across the country
on Vijayadashmi after burning effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnath, a
weeklong historic Dussehra has begun in Kullu with rolling out of the chariot
of Raghunath (lord Rama) to the Dhalpur Dussehra ground on Wednesday. All other
deities paid their obeisance to lord Raghunath who is the presiding deity of
the festivity.
on Vijayadashmi after burning effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnath, a
weeklong historic Dussehra has begun in Kullu with rolling out of the chariot
of Raghunath (lord Rama) to the Dhalpur Dussehra ground on Wednesday. All other
deities paid their obeisance to lord Raghunath who is the presiding deity of
the festivity.
Palanquins of over 225 deities along with their thousands of followers are taking part in the
festivity. Lakhs of people including tourists flocked to pull the chariot as
they have an immense belief that pulling or just touching the holy ropes brings
them prosperity and blessings. Police had a tough time negotiating with the
devotees imbued with devotion. According to the tradition, palanquin of Goddess Hadimba
and Bijli Mahadev scattered the crowd and made way for chariot. Chariot would
rest in the lower ground till the seventh day when it would be again wheeled to
the bank of river Beas where some shrubs would be burnt as symbol of burning of
the Lanka. But unlike other places, no effigies are burnt here.
festivity. Lakhs of people including tourists flocked to pull the chariot as
they have an immense belief that pulling or just touching the holy ropes brings
them prosperity and blessings. Police had a tough time negotiating with the
devotees imbued with devotion. According to the tradition, palanquin of Goddess Hadimba
and Bijli Mahadev scattered the crowd and made way for chariot. Chariot would
rest in the lower ground till the seventh day when it would be again wheeled to
the bank of river Beas where some shrubs would be burnt as symbol of burning of
the Lanka. But unlike other places, no effigies are burnt here.
Thousands of
domestic and international tourists throng Kullu Dussehra to witness the unique
blend of culture, tradition and devotion. A group of students from England had
reached here for research and capture the Dussehra. The group leader, Chadwick,
said, “We are staying in Shimla but we reached here to see the Dussehra. Our
experience is unexplainable. Students have got lots to explore and understand
the Indian culture.”
domestic and international tourists throng Kullu Dussehra to witness the unique
blend of culture, tradition and devotion. A group of students from England had
reached here for research and capture the Dussehra. The group leader, Chadwick,
said, “We are staying in Shimla but we reached here to see the Dussehra. Our
experience is unexplainable. Students have got lots to explore and understand
the Indian culture.”
Ramanuj Rai,
another tourist from Karnataka said he had never seen so many deities together
ever in his life. “People here have strong faith in their own deity but respect
the others. The modernization has no effect on the cultural faith of hill
people. Most of the palanquins are identical but I’m trying to capture as much
as I can in my camera,” he added.
another tourist from Karnataka said he had never seen so many deities together
ever in his life. “People here have strong faith in their own deity but respect
the others. The modernization has no effect on the cultural faith of hill
people. Most of the palanquins are identical but I’m trying to capture as much
as I can in my camera,” he added.
Royal family of Kullu — Maheshwar Singh and family — was dressed in their traditional royal attire
to perform the rituals associated with the Dussehra. Every year, palanquins of
hundreds of deities are brought from different parts of state and they stay in
camp around the festival place for seven days which remains the attraction for
devotees and tourists.
hundreds of deities are brought from different parts of state and they stay in
camp around the festival place for seven days which remains the attraction for
devotees and tourists.
Also, the
cultural programs started at Lal Chand Prarthi Kala Kendra of Kullu where several
artists from various countries would perform for seven days. For its
uniqueness, Kullu Dussehra was declared an international festival in
1972. Dussehra festival, which conveys the message of victory of good over
evil, is marked by gathering of deities, their prayers, processions and cultural
programs, not by burning effigies.
cultural programs started at Lal Chand Prarthi Kala Kendra of Kullu where several
artists from various countries would perform for seven days. For its
uniqueness, Kullu Dussehra was declared an international festival in
1972. Dussehra festival, which conveys the message of victory of good over
evil, is marked by gathering of deities, their prayers, processions and cultural
programs, not by burning effigies.
Dussehra celebrations
in Kullu started in the year of 1661 during the reign of the then
ruler Raja Jagat Singh. Since then, idols of hundreds of deities from different
parts of Kullu gather here and celebrate for a week. Dussehra is an
important event for local residents as they do lots of shopping to tackle the
winters.
in Kullu started in the year of 1661 during the reign of the then
ruler Raja Jagat Singh. Since then, idols of hundreds of deities from different
parts of Kullu gather here and celebrate for a week. Dussehra is an
important event for local residents as they do lots of shopping to tackle the
winters.
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