‘Lanka Dahan’ at Vashisht

‘Lanka Dahan’ at Vashisht

Manali, October 17

The week-long Dasehra festival at Vashisht village near Manali concluded today with Lanka Dahan. the Hundreds of residents and tourists witnessed the last-day celebration. The palanquin of Lord Vashisht Rishi and Lord Hanuman were taken to a rock known as ‘Lanka Pathar’ to perform the rituals.

As per the tradition, a pumpkin is placed above the rock which is then pelted with stones by people. When pumpkin pieces fall on the ground, people run to grab those. It is said the person who gets the first piece performs another ritual. He gets the blessings and its believed the person gets a good life partner too. The wishes of married couples are also fulfilled. Finally, the palanquin of Vashisht Rishi and idols of Lord Rama, Lakshman, Sita, Hanuman and other deities are reinstalled at their places in the temple. —OC