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The festival of Dussehra has significance in all parts of the country, but the way of celebrating Dussehra differs in various regions. Dussehra, or Vijaydashmi, is the tenth day of Navratri and marks the victory of Lord Ram over the evil king Ravana. It is a joyous and highly celebrated festival. Many famous events take place during the Navratri and Dussehra season. Every event in every region holds a major significance. One such event is the Dusshera celebrations in Kullu.
Kullu is a town in Himachal Pradesh known worldwide for its beauty. The Kullu valley is also called the valley of the gods. It is a heavenly abode of lush green mountains that attracts many tourists. The river Beas flows alongside Kullu. Top sightseeing in Kullu includes the Great Himalayan National Park, Raghunathee temple, Bijli Mahadev temple, and Jagannath Temple. A fascinating hill station, it is also famous for its apple orchids and Dussehra celebrations.
As a well-known hill station, there is an abundance of hotels in Kullu for families. So you don’t need to worry about accommodation while you plan your trip to Kullu.
Kullu Dussehra holds great importance in the lives of the people there. It has a fascinating history that makes Dussehra even more special for Himachal. The story goes as follows.
From 1637 to 1672, Raja Jagat Singh reigned over Kullu. One day, he heard of a brahmin named Durgadutt, who was said to possess a bowl full of pearls. After hearing this news, he ordered his soldiers to bring the pearls from Durgadutt’s possession. The soldiers tormented the poor brahmin to get the pearls from him. When pushed to his limits by the harassment, he agreed to give the pearls himself to the king. When the king visited the village, he set himself and his family on fire inside his house. The family burned to ashes and cursed the king.
After the incident, the spirit of the brahmin haunted the king. To lift the curse, a saint suggests that only the blessing of Lord Ram can lift the curse. So, the king set out to bring an authentic idol of Lord Ram to Kullu. The party sent to find it procured it from the Tret Nath temple in Ayodhya. It was installed in the Raghunathji temple at Sultanpur Kullu along with its pujari. It freed the king from his curse, and he devoted himself to serving Lord Ram. All the gods of Kullu accepted Raghunathji as the ruling deity of the valley on the occasion of Vijaydashmi.
A grand rath procession is held every year in Kullu to celebrate the arrival of Lord Ram in the region as the ruling deity. People make offerings and gather to get the blessings of Lord Raghunath on this auspicious festival. The Kullu Dussehra is an international fair known as the International Mega Dussehra. Dhalpur Maidan is the venue for this festival. Cultural performances and traditions are sure to delight your heart.
Feasts and dancing are an inseparable part of the fair. The location of Kullu puts the cherry on top. It is a wondrous sight to behold and will enchant anyone’s heart. The festival ends with a bonfire on the banks of the river Beas. The bonfire symbolises the burning of Lanka.
Kullu is 260 km from Shimla, the capital, by road. If you want to travel by air, that is one of the best options. The nearest airport is Kullu Manali, only 10 km from Kullu. For train journeys, Joginder Nagar is the closest train station. It is 120 km from Kullu. Another railway station is 200 km away, called Kiratpur.
Kullu has many brilliant accommodation facilities available. You can find some of the best hotels in Kullu for a comfortable stay. We have listed some of the best hotels in Kullu for the family. You can look at them while considering your lodging options in Kullu.
Kullu Dussehra is a unique way of celebrating Dussehra. It is a mesmerising venture that everyone should experience at least once in their life. Kullu is easy to reach, and you can find the best hotels in Kullu for your vacation. This Dussera, make your plans to visit Kullu on this auspicious occasion and experience spirituality in beauty.
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April 15, 2024 
