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Kullu's famous 'international' Dussehra begins

     Kullu (Himachal Pradesh): A large number of devotees have gathered in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, to participate in the week-long Dussehra festival. "We have heard about it, that is why we are here and I think it is very colourful and has lot of tradition, said Julia, a German tourist. During the festival, devotees draw the chariot of Lord Rama from the Raghunath Temple to the Dhalpur ground where the idol is placed on a wooden throne. "We are very big fans of Indian philosophy, culture and style of life. And I would like to know that the carrying of idols is very similar to the Orthodox Church," said Jzina Bitkova, a Russian tourist. Members of Kullu's erstwhile royal family appear before the public to perform religious chores associated with the festival. Traditional dances and massive processions also form a part of the festival. Kullu Dussera dates back to the 17th century when King Jaganand installed an idol of Raghunath on his throne as a mark of penance. Thereafter, Raghunath came to be known as the ruling deity of the valley. "Why Dussera was started. My ancestor was told by somebody that one Brahmin has got very pure pearls and so he was asked by the King to bring the pearls. The poor Brahmin got scared because he had no pearls, so he set himself on fire. Because of a curse, every time the King started eating he would see blood in his food. A holyman suggested that we should bring the idol of Lord Rama from Ayodhya. Since then, the main King here is Lord Rama," said Karan Singh, a descendant of the royal family. During the week long festival, idols of the various Gods and Goddesses are assembled. Over 250 to 300 idols are placed before a Lord Rama or Lord Raghunath as a mark of respect. The Kullu Dussera was declared an "international festival" in 1972. Since then, it has acquired a multilingual and multi- cultural identity. The festival ends with the sacrifice of a buffalo, a rooster, a lamb, a fish and a crab. Simultaneously, a huge pile of grass is set afire to symbolise the burning of Lanka, the kingdom of the Demon King Ravana.
-Oct 3, 2006