Following the global pandemic of COVID-19 a lot has changed in the tourism industry of the country. However, we travelers will never stop exploring new destinations and what better place it can be than Kullu, especially when it’s the auspicious occasion of Dussehra.
How About a Unique Cultural Getaway?
Dev Bhoomi Himachal Pradesh is a magical land of breathtaking destinations that attracts visitors from all over India. One such is the Kullu Valley. Also known as Kulanthapitha during the era of Maharajas, the Valley of Gods is renowned for its annual grand Dussehra celebration. Kullu Dussehra Celebration, which honors the neighborhood divinities and maintains the soul of good over evil, is commended with traditional ceremonies in the light of modern age. Apart from its magnificence and enormous religious significance, the festival also made it to the Guinness Book of World Records in 2016 for bringing together over 9000 dancers under the same platform.
This year block your time in your calendars from October 24th till 30th. However, due to the on-going pandemic, this year’s Dussehra celebrations will be a bit different and possibly tapered. Like most of the years, this time also the festivities will start with a Rath Yatra of Lord Raghunath from Rath Maidan of Kullu and all important rituals and traditions will also be performed with restricted crowd gatherings.
Vijay Dashmi is celebrated on the tenth day of Dussehra all over India. While Kullu Dussehra is celebrated a little uniquely because the celebration here starts after the nine-day festival ends. It is so widely popular that as many as 5 lakh people have registered witnessing this week-long festival. It was also declared an international event in 1972.
A Sneak Peek Into The History
The historical backdrop of Kullu Dussehra dates back to the 17th Century. According to legends, Kullu was ruled by a king named Raja Jagat Singh. It is said that he got the rumor of a person owning beautiful white pearls, named Durga Dutt. He immediately got the urge of owning the pearls. Durga Dutt tried his best to sway the King that he didn’t have any pearls, rather his treasure was his knowledge that was priceless. However, all his pleas went in vain. He finally had to set himself on fire along with his family and curse the Raja “Whenever you eat, your rice will appear as worms, and water will appear as blood”.
Understanding the severity of the situation, the Raja took the advice of a Brahmin that only after getting a deity of Lord Raghunath from Ayodhya can end the curse. While the Brahmin was stealing the deity from Ayodhya, a search party discovered his whereabouts. The deity was destined to reach Kullu and all efforts of Ayodhya people to recover the deity were in vain. Finally, the idol of Raghunathji was installed which was followed by months of sleepless nights of Raja Jagat Singh praying to get rid of his curse. At last he succeeded to lift off the curse and announced the annual Dussehra celebration which is continuing till date. The celebrations became a symbol of happiness and abundance in the state with music, dance, colorful decorations and a mesmerizing ambience.
Who Are The Special Invitees?
The Pahari communities living in Himachal have their own local Deity called “Devtas”. Here every village has its own Deity whom they worship. Originating from the very roots of individual regional culture these Devtas enjoy strong supremacy over the people. They are believed to be the special invitees of this special occasion and they accompany Lord Raghunath throughout all the processions.
How is it Celebrated?
The festival is truly unique. It still continues to attract the tourists till date. The devotees in Kullu carry out a procession wherein they carry the idols of different Gods from their home on their heads to meet Lord Raghunath in the temple. Hundreds of Devtas are brought to the temple ground on the day of Dussehra.
Over the years, Kullu Dussehra endured immense changes, and as of now it is a more commercial event than it was in the past. Many international travelers visit Kullu during Dussehra to witness the grand celebrations. People from the other Himalayan states also attend and take part in the festival. The last day has an emblematic significance. Devotees collect a pile of wood and set it on fire to mark the demolition of Lanka and the eventual dominance of good over evil.
What Essentially Happens During the Festival?
1. Rath Procession
In the morning all the palkis of Devatas are carried out by the devotees and proceed with the band of their traditional musicians towards the temple of Raghunathji. On behalf of the temple, they are offered a Phagu (a long yellow colored piece of cloth). Then they come to the Praul (the main gate of Tharah Kardu in the palace). The main deities stay there for the day’s procession.
By afternoon, all the rites to be performed before Raghunathji are completed. On the arrival of the Raja the statues of Raghunathji and Sita are adorned with flowers and beautiful clothes and are placed in a palanquin. According to the tradition some deities stay on the left, some on the right and others on the backside of the Rath along with their bands of musicians, priests and kardars (manager of a Devata). On the arrival of the statues of Rama and Sita they are placed in the rath. Finally, the senior most representative of the royal family touches the rope attached with the rath.
As the devotees start chanting the slogans “Jai Siya Ram, Jai Hanuman’’ and start pulling the rath, positive energies start vibrating all throughout you. It’s impossible to describe in words how it feels in the presence of Gods, the Devtas of Himachal. Afterwards, the rath is taken to the lower ground where it is placed during the Dussehra period in the centre of the ground.
2. Guinness World Record Holder ‘Nati’
Kullu Dussehra is celebrated in the whole district with great zeal. Earlier the followers of Devi-Devtas used to dance the whole night in front of their tents during Dussehra. Men and women dancers used to take part in Lalhri Dance till the next morning. Now as most of the villages are connected by roads, the devotees return to their homes in the evening, as a result Lalhri Dance has been discontinued. Now only the central members associated with Devi-Devtas like Kardar, Pujari, Gur, Dhami, Dhounsi etc. stay in the tents with Devi-Devtas. The Lalhri Dance happens in the Chanani of Raja on the Muhalla night. The sound of Dhol, Nagara, Shehnai, Dhouns, Bhana and Ransingas will make you feel that you’re at the Devlok and you’d want to dance away with the rhythms of music.
3. Parampara
A modern take on Himachali traditional fashion– You’ll be spellbound to see how Himachali fashion is served in such modern vision. A fashion competition of traditional Himachali attire is held. There are certain rules to this. Only women participate in the competition. The competition has two rounds. One is based on “Bridal” dress of Himachal Pradesh while the other will be “Fusion” where participants can present any uniqueness by mixing traditional/casual Indian and western attire.
4. International Folk Dance Festival
While the platform showcases Kullu Valley’s cultural diversity, the festival has been hosting personalities from International dance communities to endorse the uniqueness of the festival. The weeklong colorful musical is held at Lal Chandra Prarthi Kala Kendra.
So, get yourself a Kulluvi outfit and pair up with the shoulders of the locals while you embrace the flavors of Himachali culture!
In all this don’t forget to add your already existing itinerary to your Dussehra bucket list. Explore the beautiful hill town and its adjoining valleys, known for its lovely gulches, amazing waterfalls, gossipy mountain streams and beautiful carved wooden temples, all of which are certainly going to captivate you. So what’s holding you back; pack your bags already. Don’t make it a usual Dussehra holiday, spend some time with your family and friends, while exploring a new cultural vibe!
Happy Dussehra!
