About:
- Kullu, the “Valley of Gods”, also known as “Kulanthapitha” is located in Himachal Pradesh.
- The valley is also renowned for its grand Dussehra celebrations. Kullu Dussehra was declared an international event in 1972 and is witnessed by around 4-5 Lac people from across the globe.
- Its origins can be traced back to the regime of Raja Jagat Singh in 17th
Key events:
- On the first day of the festival, the idol of Raghunathji is placed on a chariot and taken through the Dhalpur Maidan.
- The subsequent days see cultural events, including song and dance performances by local and international artists
- The 7-day festival ends with the “symbolic Lanka Dahan” by burning a heap of grass on fire beside the Beas River and the return of Raghunathji to its abode at Sultanpur temple.
Comparison with other Dussehra celebrations:
- Similarity: Like other Dussehra celebrations, this is also a festival of a triumph of good over evil.
- Difference:
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DUSSEHRA IN REST OF INDIA
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KULLU DUSSEHRA
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Celebrations mainly involves Burning of Ravana.
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It honours Rama himself in the form of Raghunathji, the presiding deity of the Raghunathji Temple in Kullu.
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It is a one-day festival at the end of Navratri every year i.e. on the tenth day in the Hindu calendar month of Ashvin.
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The week-long celebrations begin when the rest of the country end the vijaydashmi celebrations.
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