International Kullu Dussehra kicks off with Lord Raghunath’s Rath Yatra
Kullu, Oct 2:
The week-long International Kullu Dussehra began today with the grand Rath Yatra of Lord Raghunath, as thousands of devotees thronged Dhalpur Maidan chanting “Har Har Mahadev”.
The sacred chariot of Lord Raghunath rolled out steadily, pulled by devotees in the presence of thousands of spectators, including tourists from across the country and pilgrims from Kullu district and other parts of Himachal Pradesh.
More than 200 deities, including Bijli Mahadev, joined the Yatra. Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla (with his family) was present as the chief guest, while Lord Raghunath’s chief representative Maheshwar Singh, dressed in traditional attire along with his family, also participated.
The Rath Yatra, though held in a subdued manner owing to the Valley’s repeated monsoon disasters over the last three years, witnessed undying devotion and enthusiasm among the devotees.
As per tradition, Lord Raghunath along with all participating deities will camp at Dhalpur Maidan for the next seven days of festivities.
Elsewhere in the state, Dussehra was celebrated with equal fervour. In Shimla, effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnath were set ablaze at Jakhu and at the University grounds in Summerhill.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu led the celebrations by igniting the towering effigies. Across Himachal Pradesh, towns and villages marked the festival with the symbolic burning of evil and a sense of renewal after the Navratri fasts.
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