Credit: Ashish
About Kullu Dussehra
Kullu Dussehra is not a one-day festival but a seven-day festival that holds great cultural and historical importance in the Kullu region. Yes you heard right, Kullu dussehra is not a one-day festival. It starts when all over India finishes celebrating Dussehra. Its quite different from the rest of dusshera in a way it celebrated. Kullu is held in Dholpur Maidan, that is situated on the bank of Beas river. Called Dashmi in place of Dussehra, it starts from the 10th day of Ashwinin Month.
In other dussehras, where effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkarana, and Meghnand are burned, five animals are sacrificed. It symbolizes the destruction of attachment, lust, anger, greed, and ego.
The first Legend of Kullu Dussehra
Since the 17th century, Kullu Dussehra has been celebrated. According to the legend, Raja Jagat Singh was ruling Kullu in the sixteenth century. Once the King was informed, Brahmin Durgadutt owned lovely white pearls. After hearing this, King got the desire to get the white pearls.
He sent soliders to get pearls from the Brahmin Durgadutt. But in the process, soldiers tortured Durgadutt despite denying having white pearls . He tried to persuade her that he did not own the pearls. He cursed the king and committed suicide along with his family.
After the incident, King’s health started to decline. To set himself free from the curse, he took the advice of a Ramanandi saint, Krishnadas Payahari. He told him to obtain the deity of Lord Raghunath from Ayodhya. The desperate king sent a Brahmin to Ayodha. Later, Brahmin stole the Ragunath idol and set out on a journey to Kullu. In the process, the people of Ayodha saw the missing idol and started searching for Brahmin. They approached him on the banks of the Saryu River and asked about his actions. Brahmin explained the whole story of the kullu king and why he has taken the idol of Lord Ragunath. But the people didn’t get satisfied with his word and tried to lift the idol. Surprisingly, the idol became heavy and didn’t move. When it moves in the direction of Kullu, it becomes lighter. So after reaching kullu, the idol was installed in the kingdom of kullu. Raja Jagat Singh drank the water of Charan-Amrit and started recovering. Since then, he has dedicated his entire life to Lord Ragunath and became his reagent. This is how Lord Rama is connected with the Dusherra at Kullu. It started in 1606 and continues till now.
The Second Legend of Kullu Dussehra
This historical celebration is surrounded by myths, legends, and anecdotes, each brilliantly expressing the occasion’s symbolic significance. The major celebration of Kullu Dussehra is associated with two distinct legends. The first one goes like this: While returning from Kailash, Maharishi Jamdagni carried a basket containing pictures of eighteen different Gods. A severe storm scattered all the pictures over the Kullu valley when he was crossing the Chanderkhani pass, and the people who lived in these hills saw these images take on the appearance of Gods. As a result, this lovely location became known as the “Valley of Gods.” And it is for this reason that the people who live now lavishly worship these dispersed representations.
Credit: Kondephy
First day of Dussehra
The first day of Kullu dussehra begins on the day of Vijayadashami. Idol of lord Raghunathji is kept in a chariot and procession takes place in Dholpur maidan. Members of the royal family visit to take blessings. 100-150 gods from different areas also known as Devta, the most famous one Hidmba devi from Mananli comes to give the company to lord Ragunathji.
Second day to 5th day of Dussehra
On the second day celebrations take place in many forms. Day starts with the morning parade of gods and goddesses and ends at evening with the same. Many smaller stalls are set up in the Dholpur maidan where local handicrafts, sculptures and garments are sold.Being an international festival invited local and international artists fill the air with joy and happiness.
6th day of Dussehra
During the 6th day, idols of lord Ragunathji, Hidamba and Sita are kept in a procession called Rath Yatra. Numerous gods and goddesses gather along with the followers in the ground. This activity in the local language is called Mohalla. It’s a beautiful scene where you nu
7th day of Dussehra
On the last and 7th day of dussehra , lord ragunath ji is taken to the bank of river Beas. Here throngs of bushes are fired to mark the king of devil lord Ravana. Lord Ragunath is presented with the sacrifice of animals. At the last lord Ragunath ji is bring back to Sultanpur where his temple is located and reinstated
Place and Time
The main festivities are held in Dhalpur Maidan on the tenth day of Navratri, i.e., Vijay Dashmi day, around the month of October.
How to Reach
By train
The nearest railway station is Joginder Nagar, which is 120 kilometers away on the Mandi-Pathankot route, which is a small gauge track.
By road
The nearest airport is Kullu-Manali Airport, which is 10 kilometers away from Kullu and is located near the Bhunter bus stop.