Kullu deities to hold yajna to cleanse Dhalpur ground

Our Correspondent

Kullu, November 16

The deities of the Kullu valley have decided in a ‘jagati’ (congregation of deities) to organise a yajna to cleanse the Dhalpur ground and a ‘kahika’ (expiation ceremony) to placate the irate deities, who were not allowed to attend the Dasehra festivities due to curtailed celebrations in view of Covid.

Around 200 deities participated in the ‘jagati’ through their ‘gurs’ (oracles) carrying their respective symbols on the premises of the Raghunath temple in the Sultanpur area of Kullu town here today.

Decision taken in jagati

• A ‘jagati’ symbolises an assembly of Gods to decide future plans for safety of Kullu people
• It can be arranged at three places if they foresee some natural calamity or danger
• It was held in 1970 when the Kullu valley faced a severe drought
• It was also held on February 16, 2006, to decide the fate of the ski village project
• It was organised on September 26, 2014, when the HC directed the state to ban animal sacrifice

The deities had expressed resentment over deviation from traditional rituals. The ‘Chharibardar’ (chief caretaker) of Lord Raghunath, Maheshwar Singh, scion of erstwhile Kullu royal family, held conversations with all deities and vowed to fulfil their demands. The deities reached the final decision after intensive counselling and discussions.

While around 300 deities used to participate in the Dasehra festival, this year, the Kullu Dasehra Festival Committee allowed only seven deities, who had a major role in performing the traditional rituals, to participate. However, 14 deities participated in the festivities and many of them expressed resentment over not letting all deities to visit the Dhalpur ground during the festival.

Some deities had resented that it was not appropriate to prevent them from participating in the Dasehra festivities and had called for holding a ‘jagati’ on the matter.

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