Enchanting spectacle unfolds as Dasehra festivities begin at Kullu

The seven-day-long Kullu Dasehra Festival commenced today with a majestic Rath Yatra led by Maheshwar Singh, head of the erstwhile royal family of Rupi (Kullu) valley, accompanied by his descendants.

The idols of the chief deity Lord Raghunath, along with Sita, Hanuman and other divine figures were ceremoniously brought from their sanctum sanctorum in Sultanpur to Dhalpur in ornately adorned palanquins. These were placed in a beautifully refurbished wooden chariot, known as the Rath, making its vibrant return after 15 years.

The Rath Yatra traditionally begins at sunset, signalled by a flag raised by Goddess Bhekhali from the adjacent hill. Following the divine cue, hundreds of devotees pulled the Rath from the Rath Ground to the camp temple of Lord Raghunath at the heart of the Dasehra grounds. In a unique tradition, the deity Dhumbal Naag assumed the symbolic role of crowd controller, clearing the path and ensuring order among the thousands of spectators and devotees.

The atmosphere was devotional, resonating with chants of “Jai Siya Ram”. Palanquins bearing local deities, accompanied by traditional bands, joined Lord Raghunath in the procession. Among the dignitaries present was Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, who witnessed the historic event.

Earlier in the day, rituals were performed at the Raghunath Temple in Sultanpur. A significant moment was the arrival of Goddess Hadimba — revered as the “Dadi” (grandmother) of the royal family — from Manali, marking the continuation of ceremonial traditions. The police and home guards led the procession through Sarwari and Lower Dhalpur, with residents offering their reverence to the Chief Deity along the route.

Men, women, and children dressed in traditional attire, along with hundreds of domestic and international tourists, gathered to witness the spectacle. The air was filled with joy and devotion, underscored by the rhythmic beats of drums and the melodious strains of “Shahnaies”. The idols were later installed in the camp temple at Dhalpur, where rituals and divine assemblies will continue throughout the festival.

Celebrated since the mid-17th century, Kullu Dasehra begins on Vijayadashmi —the day when Dasehra festivities conclude elsewhere in India. Unique to this region, the festival sees the participation of deities from across the Kullu district, making it a truly divine congregation.