Kullu Dasehra festival from today

Kullu, October 23

All preparations have been made by the International Kullu Dasehra Festival Committee for Dasehra celebrations beginning tomorrow. Artistes from 15 countries have reached Kullu, said committee chairman and Chief Parliamentary Secretary (CPS) Sunder Singh Thakur while addressing a press conference here today.

He said local people would be exposed to the culture of foreign countries for seven days. He added that a carnival parade would also be organised on October 25, in which the foreign artistes will showcase their talent. A glimpse of the culture of America, Russia, Romania, Kazakhstan, Croatia, Vietnam, Taiwan, Thailand, Panama, Iraq, Maldives, Malaysia, Kenya, Ghana and Ethiopia would be seen during the festival.

Thakur said for the first time a stage has been set up at the exhibition ground where cultural programmes will be organised in the afternoon also for the convenience of the people. He thanked the officials from the Indian Council of Cultural Relations for roping in so many foreign troupes this year to raise the international grandeur of the festival.

The CPS said the Dasehra market had also been decorated in a better way this time. Better arrangements have been made in the camps of the deities and four high mast lights have also been arranged in the grounds. He said 334 deities had been invited and around 300 are expected to participate in the festivities.

The leader said the festival would be inaugurated by Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and will be concluded by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. He said that the CM has been requested to stay for three days during the closing of the festival and he would be given a tour of Kais dhar in an electric cart vehicle.

Artistes arrive from 15 nations

• Artistes from 15 countries have reached Kullu to participate in the festivities. A carnival parade will also be organised on October 25, in which the foreign artistes will showcase their talent. The Kullu Dasehra, which commences on Vijay Dashmi, usually sees a footfall of about 4-5 lakh people every year
• The festival dates back to the 17th century when King Jagat Singh installed an idol of Lord Raghunath on his throne in Kullu as a mark of penance. Following this, Raghunath was declared as the ruling deity of the Valley