Dasehra committee earns Rs 8.37 cr

The Kullu Dasehra Festival Committee has achieved a revenue of Rs 8.37 crore from plot sales that began on September 20.

According to Kullu Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Ashwani Kumar, a tambola stall was allotted for Rs 2.12 crore, while four domes were auctioned for Rs 1.76 crore. Plot sales generated Rs 2.98 crore and swings plots earned Rs 81 lakh, with the Rehri and Farhi market fetching Rs 70 lakh. The seven-day International Kullu Dasehra Festival began today, and the trade fair will run until November 8.

The revenue generated from the sale of plots last year was Rs 4 crore and Rs 7.8 crore was earned in 2022. The tambola stall, auctioned for Rs 56 lakh last year, fetched Rs 1.45 crore in 2022 due to its change in location from the Exhibition Ground to Rath Ground. Proceeds from tambola go to the District Red Cross Society.

To maintain uniformity, Pagoda-style canopy tents have been installed in the Meena Market. Sunder Singh Thakur, Kullu Dasehra Festival Committee Chairman, shared that a stage will be set up in Rath Ground for cultural programmes held daily from 2 pm to 6 pm. Sports competitions will be held in the mornings until 2 pm. Troupes from foreign countries will also perform, and post-6 pm cultural events will take place in Lal Chand Prarthi Kala Kendra for seven days. Thakur further revealed that diplomats from 21 countries will participate in the festival, with a grand cultural parade of foreign troupes scheduled for October 14 and the Kullu Carnival on October 18. Special arrangements will be made for attendees to enjoy the Rath Yatra, ensuring a smooth experience for visitors from across the nation and abroad. Invitations have been extended to all deities of the district.

The festival committee has yet to release the list of star performers for the cultural evenings, which were usually finalised well before Dasehra.