Kullu Dussehra is one of the most beautiful and amazing festival celebrated in Kullu Valley. If you ask me I would say that I have never attended such an mega event in life ever before I visited this festival. There are number of facts related to Kullu Dussehra which I hope you must not be knowing so today I am going to share those facts in this article of mine.
Facts about Kullu Dussehra
Number of Visitors
It is estimated that every year around 4-5 lakh people visit this festival in Kullu but these estimation records are 4-5 year old and if you ask me I would say that now the number has gone upto 7-8 lakh. Just imagine yourself visiting a festival where nearly 7-8 lakh people gather to celebrate the victory of Good over Evil.
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History of Kullu Dussehra
It’s the legend of 16th century when Raja Jagat singh used to rule over Kullu kingdom. It is believed that one day he came to know about the peasant in the region who was possessing the riches of pearls. Raja Jagat Singh became greedy and wanted to own the riches of the peasant and thus ordered the poor peasant to either handover the pearls to the king or get hanged but the irony of situation was that the pearl possessed by the Brahmin was the great wisdom and knowledge, Knowing of the consequences peasant threw himself in the fire and cursed the king that “Whenever you will eat, the Rice will appear like worm and water like blood”. To change his fate Raja was told by the brahmin to go and fetch Raghunath deity from Ayodhya and hence Raja Jagat Singh told one of his brahmin to do the desired work. The Brahmin sneaked into the city and was able to steal the deity of Raghunath but was captured by the local people of the Ayodhya. It is believed that when they were carrying the deity towards Ayodhya the weight of the deity increased manifold but when carried towards Kullu it became light. This Raghunath deity is placed in the rath during the Rath yatra on first and last day of Dussehra and this is how Dussehra in Kullu is celebrated. I have written history in facts because many people don’t know about the history of this amazing festival and hence I believe it is an amazing fact to know Kullu Dussehra.
No Burning of Ravaan
The burning of Ravaan is basically a symbol of Dussehra festival. But the most amazing facts about Dussehra in Kullu is that no Ravaan is burnt during the event of festival celebration. I have visited number of states during Dussehra festival but I have not seen a single state in India where Ravaan is not burnt during Dussehra, But Kullu is such a state. Dussehra festival is marked with pulling of Rath along the Dhalpur ground.
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Tambola
I hope you have heard the name Tambola if not then let me explain you. Tambola is a game of numbers and luck, if you are lucky enough then you can even win a Maruti suzuki Swift or Royal enfield bike for a cost of mere 500 Rs. This game is played by number of people every year and a friend of mine told me that the stall for Tambola this year in 2017 has gone for a bid of 41 lakh Rs. And I believe that it is one of the biggest facts about Kullu Dussehra.
Fair and Festival
Kullu Dussehra is not only about the Rath Yatra but there is more to explore. Here you can do shopping, eat you favorite snack, Chill out with your friends or family members. The festival is celebrated for nearly 7 days where the four main grounds of Dhalpur are covered with various stalls.
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Guinness Book of World Records
Kullu Natti has its name in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest folk dance in the world. The London office of the Guinness Book has given its approval to the District Kullu Dussehra Committee for the attempt of the largest folk dance in the world this was done in presence of DC Rakesh Kanwar. He said the folk dance was dedicated to the theme of the girlchild and the participants would take a pledge to work for the cause. “More than 13,000 participants — both women and me.
Wow great article, Thanks for letting us knkow the other side of the festival