Kullu Dussehra, the most famous and biggest festival of Himachal Pradesh, takes place in Kullu. This festival takes place after the Vijayadashmi, and it goes on for 7 days at Dhalpur ground.
It is the largest festival in Himachal, where over 300 to 350 local gods and goddesses visit their devotees in the Kullu Valley at this time, reflecting a deep cultural system. It is famous as Dev Parampara, which is for Lord Raghunath(Rama)
Over the course of these 7 days, the beautiful Kullu Valley celebrates this festival with music, dance, gatherings, rituals, and the rathyatra, which takes place every year for the entire week. On the last day, it ends with Lanka Dahan, a symbol of the rich and spiritual culture of the Himalayas.
History Of Kullu Dasehra
It is the story of the 17th century, where once there was a king, Jagat Singh, who took land under his control that belonged to a sage named Durga Dutt without his permission. The sage then became so angry that he cursed the king to suffer from an unknown disease.
King then started to find ways to get rid of the disease. He then takes advice from another sage, who tells him to bring an Idol of Lord Ram from Ayodhaya.
The king goes to Ayodhaya to bring the idol, and as soon as he places the idol, he gets rid of the disease. As soon as he was well again, he announced Lord Ram as the king of Kullu.
From then onwards, Kullu Dussehra takes place every year in Kullu, and it is for the worship of Lord Ram. The role of the local deties is to welcome Lord Ram to his home.
Celebration Of Kullu Dussehra
These days are famous as the most sacred days of the year, where many rituals play an important role. During these days, and these days are not just about rituals. These days are the symbol of devotion, togetherness, and the celebration is as follows:
1. The Rath Yatra
Rath Yatra is where the Idol of lord ram sits in a beautifully decorated Rath at Sultanpur. The devotees pull it throughout the Kullu to the Dhalpur ground with chants and music, where the real celebration begins.
2. Dev Milan
Over 250 local gods then gather there in the Dhalpur ground, who are with the devotees. Each god represents the village they guard, and they gather there with local instruments, dance, and priests. It is famous as Dev Milan, which is also a divine meeting of all the local gods.
3. Local Traditions and Foods
Kullu Dussehra is rich in culture and traditions, and the folk arts, which takes place with a very famous nati dance, a folk dance of Kullu, which is done by the locals of the Kullu. Along with that, locals play the traditional music is in the evening by the local instruments, which are narsingha and dhol.
Folk storytelling and people also prepare the Himachali dishes like siddu, madru, and babra these days, which are very famous foods os Himachal.
4. Lanka Dehan: The Final Day
The final day is famous as the Lanka dehan, where the local people burn the grass and wood instead of the Idol of Ravan on the banks of the Beas River, as a symbol of the victory of good over evil.
After this particular ritual, the gods return to their respective places until the next year.
Conclusion
Kullu Dussehra is not just another festival like the other festivals; it’s a living symbol of devotion, folk stories, and a cultural gathering, which brings the communities together. It is the calling of the divine gods.
These 7 days are the most spiritual days for everyone present there. Tourists from across
The world comes to Kullu to be a part of this divine festival and to take the blessings of the local gods.
This celebration is not just spiritual; it is more human as well. Everything that is done in these 7 days, be it the Rath Yatra or the food, everything is a blessing to the eyes of the visitors.
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FAQ (frequently asked questions)
1.Is Kullu Dassehra different from normal Dassehra?
Ans. Yes, Kullu Dassehra is a very different festival from the normal Dussehra, as it begins after the normal Dussehra, and it was started by King Jagat Singh in the 17th century, as he bought Lord Rama’s Idol in Kullu for the first time.
2.Why do people in Kullu not burn Ravan?
Ans. The locals believe that if they celebrate Dussehra in Kullu, it will make lord Rama angry, and the locals believe that they can not make their king angry.
3.How is kullu dussehra is celebrated?
Ans. Unlike the other Dussehras, the Kullu Dussehra is celebrated for 7 days, and Ravan is not burned on the last day. They worship Local gods there.
4.At what time of the year does Kullu Dassehra begin?
Ans. Kullu Dussehra begins after the end of the Navratri, in October, where the locals gather in the Dhalpur ground with the idols of the local gods, to welcome lord Ram.