Kullu Dussehra

Last updated

Kullu Dussehra
Kullu Dussehra - main procession.jpg
Kullu Dussehra of Himachal Pradesh, India
TypeEthnic, Festive
SignificanceCongregation of Deities
Celebrations Nati (dance), food, music, rituals, folk flavour of the festivity, dancing

Kullu Dussehra is the renowned International Mega Dussehra festival observed in the month of October in Himachal Pradesh state in northern India. Wherein more than 4-5 lakh(400,000-500,000) people visit the fair from all across the Globe. It is celebrated in the Dhalpur maidan in the Kullu valley. Dussehra at Kullu commences on the tenth day of the rising moon, i.e. on 'Vijay Dashmi' day itself and continues for seven days. Its history dates back to the 17th century when local King Jagat Singh installed an idol of Raghunath on his throne as a mark of penance. After this, god Raghunath was declared as the ruling deity of the Valley. The State government has accorded the status of International festival to the Kullu Dussehra, which attracts tourists in large numbers. [1]

Contents

History of kullu dussehra

According legend, after this return from a pilgrimage to Maharishi Jamdagni went to his hermitage at Malana. On his head he carried a basket filled with eighteen images of different gods. Crossing through Chanderkhani pass, he came upon a fierce storm. Struggling to stay on his feet, Maharishi Jamdagni's basket was thrown from his head, scattering the images to many distant places. Hill people, finding these images saw them take shape or form as Gods, and began to worship them. Legend has it that deity worship began in the Kullu Valley. [2]

Raja Jagat Singh ruled over the prosperous and beautiful kingdom of Kullu. As the ruler, the Raja learned of a peasant by the name of Durgadatta who apparently possessed many beautiful pearls. The Raja thought he should have these treasured pearls, even though the only pearls Durgadatta had were pearls of Knowledge. But the Raja in his greed ordered Durgadatta to hand over his pearls or be hanged. Knowing of his inevitable fate at the hands of the king, Durgadatta threw himself on the fire and cursed the king, "Whenever you eat, your rice will appear as worms, and water will appear as blood". Doomed by his fate, the Raja sought solace and searched out advice from a Ramanandi saint Krishnadas Payahari [3] who belonged to Dahima/Dadhich Brahmin family. Shri Krishnadas Payahari told him that in order to eradicate the curse, he must retrieve the deity of Ragunath from Ram's kingdom. Desperate, the king sent a Brahmin to Ayodhya. Later the Brahmin stole the deity and set out on his journey back to Kullu. The people of Ayodhya, finding their beloved Ragunath missing, set out in search of the Kullu Brahmin. On the banks of the Saryu river, they approached the Brahmin and asked him why he had taken Ragunath ji. The Brahmin recounted the story of the Kullu king. The people of Ayodhya attempted to lift Ragunath, but their deity became incredibly heavy when headed back towards Ayodhya, and became very light when headed to Kullu. On reaching Kullu Ragunath was installed as the reigning deity of the Kullu kingdom. After installing the deity of Raghunath, Raja Jagat Singh drank the Charan-Amrit of the deity and the curse was lifted. Jagat Singh became Lord Ragunath's regent. This legend is connected with the Dussehra at Kullu. This deity is taken in a Ratha to the Dussehra. It started in 1606 and continues till now.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vijayadashami</span> Hindu festival celebrated to commemorate the victory of good over evil

Vijayadashami, more commonly known as Dassahra in Hindi-Urdu, and also known as Dashāhra or Dashain in Bhojpuri, Maithili and Nepali, is a major Hindu festival celebrated every year at the end of Durga Puja and Navarahtri. It is observed on the tenth day of the month of Ashvin, the seventh in the Hindu lunisolar calendar. The festival typically falls in the Gregorian calendar months of September and October, more specifically between 27 September and 26 October. It is celebrated on the tenth day of the waxing moon of the Ashvayuja month.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kullu district</span> District of Himachal Pradesh, India

Kullu is a district in Himachal Pradesh, India. It borders Shimla district to the south, Mandi and Kangra districts to the west, Kinnaur to the east and the Lahaul and Spiti district to the north and east. The largest valley in this mountainous district is the Kullu Valley. The Kullu valley follows the course of the Beas River, and ranges from an elevation of 833 m above sea level at Aut to 3330 m above sea level at the Atal Tunnel South Portal, below the Rohtang Pass. The town of Kullu, located on the right side of the Beas River, serves as the administrative headquarters of the Kullu district. The Kullu district also incorporates several riverine tributary valleys of the Beas, including those of the Parvati, Sainj, and Tirthan rivers, and thus some regions somewhat distant from the Kullu valley. The economy of the district relies mainly on horticulture, agriculture, tourism, and traditional handicrafts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rishyasringa</span> Sage mentioned in ancient Indian scriptures

Rishyasringa is a rishi mentioned in Hindu and Buddhist scriptures from the late first millennium BCE. According to the Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata, he was a boy born with the horns of a deer who became a seer and was lured by royal courtesans, which led to the yajna of King Dasharatha. His story also occurs in the Buddhist Jatakas, where he is mentioned as the son of Bodhisatta and was tried to be seduced by royal courtesans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bushahr</span> Princely state during British Raj

Bushahr, also spelt as 'Bashahr' and 'Bussahir' or 'Bushair' was a Rajput princely state in India during the British Raj. It was located in the hilly western Himalaya promontory bordering Tibet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vikramaditya</span> Legendary emperor of Ujjain, India

Vikramaditya was a legendary king as mentioned in ancient Indian literature, featuring in traditional stories including those in Vetala Panchavimshati and Singhasan Battisi. Many describe him as ruler with his capital at Ujjain. "Vikramaditya" was also a common title adopted by several monarchs in ancient and medieval India, and the Vikramaditya legends may be embellished accounts of different kings. According to popular tradition, Vikramaditya began the Vikrama Samvat era in 57 BCE after defeating the Shakas, and those who believe that he is based on a historical figure place him around the first century BCE. However, this era is identified as "Vikrama Samvat" after the ninth century CE.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naggar, Himachal Pradesh</span> Town in Himachal Pradesh

Situated on the left bank of river Beas at an altitude of 1,800 meters, Naggar is an ancient town in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh, India. It was once capital of the Kullu kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malana, Himachal Pradesh</span> Village in India

Malana is an ancient Indian village in the state of Himachal Pradesh. The only village in the Malana Nala, a side valley of the Parvati Valley northeast of the Kullu Valley, it is isolated from the rest of the world. The peaks of Chanderkhani and Deo Tibba shadow the village. It is situated on a remote plateau by the torrential Malana river, at a height of 2,652 metres (8,701 ft) above sea level. Malana has its own lifestyle and social structure, and people are strict in following their customs. Malana has been the subject of various documentaries, including Malana: Globalization of a Himalayan Village. and Malana, A Lost Identity. The existing speakers of the autochthonous language Kanashi, the traditional language of the inhabitants of Malana, number approximately 1700. According to the 1961 census, the language speakers were then 563, but today the population of Malana is at least three times as large as 40 years ago. The most common route to the village is by taxi or bus from Jhari. Roads to Malana Village trekking gate are developed.

Mankapur is a town and a nagar panchayat in Gonda district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is a constituency of Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly currently headed by BJP. It borders Gonda to the West, Rehra bazar to the North, Maskanwa to the East and Nawabganj to the South.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manikaran</span> Hot springs town in Himachal Pradesh, India

Manikaran is a town located in the Parvati Valley on river Parvati, northeast of Bhuntar in the Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh, India. It is at an altitude of 1760 m and is located 4 km from Kasol, about 45 km from Kullu and about 35 km from Bhuntar. The small town is known for its hot springs and pilgrim centres of Manali and Kullu. An experimental geothermal energy plant has also been set up here.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Village deities of South India</span>

The village deities of Southern India are the numerous spirits and other beings venerated as part of the Dravidian folk tradition in villages throughout South India. These deities, mainly goddesses, are intimately associated with the well-being of the village, and can have either benevolent or violent tendencies. These deities are presently in various stages of syncretism or assimilation with mainstream Hindu traditions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chaturbhuj Temple (Orchha)</span> Hindu temple in Madhya Pradesh, India

Chaturbhuj Temple, dedicated to Vishnu, is situated at Orchha in Madhya Pradesh, India. The name Chaturbhuj is a combination of 'chatur' meaning "four" and 'bhuj' meaning "arms" which literally translates to "one who has four arms" and refers to Rama an Avatar of Vishnu. The temple has a complex multi-storied structural view which is a blend of temple, fort and palatial architectural features.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raja Jagat Singh</span> 17th-century Indian monarch

Raja Jagat Singh was a Rajput ruler of the Nurpur kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ram Raja Temple</span> Hindu temple in Orchha, Madhya Pradesh, India

The Ram Raja Temple is a temple in Orchha, Madhya Pradesh, India. It is a sacred Hindu pilgrimage and receives devotees in large numbers regularly and is also commonly known as Orchha Temple. The annual domestic tourist number is around 650,000 and the foreign tourist number is around 25,000. The daily number of visitors to the temple range from 1500 to 3000 and on certain important Hindu festivals like the Makar Sankranti, Vasant Panchami, Shivratri, Ram Navami, Kartik Purnima and Vivaha Panchami the number of devotees who throng to Orchha range in thousands. In India this is the only temple where God Rama is worshiped as a king and that too in a palace. A Guard of Honour is held every day, police personnel have been designated as Guards at the temple, much in the manner of a king. The food and other amenities provided to the deity at the temple are a royal repast. Armed salutation is provided to God Ram every day.

Bal Dhuri is a Marathi theatre actor. He married Jayshree Gadkar, the noted Marathi and Hindi movie actress. He is best known for his multiple roles in Marathi movies and his portrayal of King Dasharatha in Ramanand Sagar's TV serial, Ramayana, also Acted In Movie Tere Mere Sapne 1996 as Secretary On Chadrachur Singh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pākhangbā</span> Primordial god in Meitei mythology

Pakhangba is a primordial deity, often represented in the form of a dragon, in Meitei mythology and Sanamahism, the indigenous religion of Manipur. He is depicted in the heraldry of Manipur kingdom, which originated in paphal, mythical illustrations of the deity. It is believed that the ancestor of one of the Meitei clans manifested himself as the Pakhangba.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nurpur kingdom</span> Nurpur kingdom from Himachal Pradesh

Nurpur kingdom in the Himalayan foothills of India was founded in 1064 A.D at north-eastern Bari Doab between the Ravi and the Beas rivers at the fusion of Kangra, Duggar, Majha, Dharab and Chamba areas which ended in 1815. The remnants of Nurpur kingdom exist as ruined forts, restored temples, water bodies, and canals in Nurpur tehsil, Fatehpur tehsil, Pathankot tehsil, Dhar Kalan tehsil, Jawali tehsil, Indora tehsil Bhattiyat tehsil, and Sihunta tehsil.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kallalagar Temple</span> Perumal temple in Madurai district, Tamil Nadu, India

KallalagarTemple or Kallazhagar Temple or "Kallallhagar Temple", also known by its own toponym Thirumaliruncholai, is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu in Alagar Koyil, a village in Madurai district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Alvar saints from the 6th–9th centuries CE. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshiped as Kallalagar, and his consort Lakshmi as Thirumagal. This temple is called as Thirumaliruncholai in Sangam literatures and Naalayira Divya Prabandham sung by Tamil Alvar saints.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Krishnadas Payahari</span> 16th-century Ramanandi Hindu religious leader

Krishnadas Payahari, also known as Payahari Baba was a Ramanandi Hindu saint and disciple of Anantananda, one of the twelve disciple of Ramananda. Krishnadas Payohari was the founder and first Mahant of Gaddi of Galtaji dham, Jaipur. He came to Galta early in the 16th century. He was the guru of Prithvi Singh, ruler of Amber (Jaipur) and his wife Apurva Devi. He was also guru of Raja Jagat Singh of Kullu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suket Fair</span> Suket Devta Fair in Sunder Nagar

Suket Fair is an annual Indian state-level fair held in Sundar Nagar, Himachal Pradesh during the Hindu festival Chaitra Navratri. According to the local people, it is also known by the names Suket Devta Mela and Sundernagar Mela, among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rama's Journey in Mithila</span> Legendary journey of Rama in Mithila

Rama's Journey in Mithila is the part of Ramayana from the Vishwamitra Ashram at Buxar to the Kingdom of Mithila.

References

  1. International Dussehra festival kicks off at Kullu, The Indian Express , 11 October 2008. Retrieved 6 October 2011.
  2. "ऐसे ही नहीं शुरू हुआ कुल्लू दशहरा: 1637 की ऐतिहासिक घटना बनी कुल्लू दशहरे के आगाज का कारण, कुल्लू में राजा जगत सिंह ने कुष्ठ रोग से निजात पाने के लिए शुरू किया उत्सव, जो बन गया अंतरराष्ट्रीय मेला". Dainik Bhaskar. 16 October 2021.
  3. Kanika Agarwal (23 August 2013). "Kullu Dussehra: Divine assembly". ixigo Travel Stories. Retrieved 21 May 2023. The story goes that a Vaishnav saint, Krishnadas, advised Raja Jagat Singh (1637-62) of Kullu to somehow obtain the idols of Lord Ram and Sita, which were enshrined in Ayodhya's Tretanath Temple, if he wished to be cured of leprosy.