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International Kullu Dussehra and Himachal's devta tradition

By CAShorts DeskPublished Sources: District Kullu (NIC); UNESCO ICH; Akashvani News On Air; The Indian Express; The Tribune

Why in news: The International Kullu Dussehra Committee has invited 347 deities to this week's festival, up from 332 in 2025, reported on 19 October 2026.

International Kullu Dussehra and Himachal's devta tradition
Illustration (AI-generated)

International Kullu Dussehra, Himachal Pradesh's week-long deity festival, begins on Vijayadashami, the day Dussehra ends elsewhere. Village devtas travel in palanquins to Kullu's Dhalpur ground to honour Lord Raghunath, the valley's presiding deity since Raja Jagat Singh's 17th-century reign. The festival committee has invited 347 deities this year, up from 332 in 2025.

Syllabus: GS1 · Art & Culture; Prelims · History & Culture; GS1 · Indian Society & Diversity

Why this matters for UPSC

GS1 Indian culture: Prelims can ask where Kullu Dussehra is held, when it begins, who brought Raghunath's idol and what a Wajib-ul-Arz is; Mains, how living festivals sustain local identity and tourism.

In short

International Kullu Dussehra is Himachal Pradesh's week-long deity festival that begins on Vijayadashami, when village devtas gather at Kullu to honour Lord Raghunath, the valley's presiding deity.

Who gathers at KulluDussehraLord RaghunathVillage devtasKardar SanghWajib-ul-ArzDhalpur ground

Kullu Dussehra keeps a living devta democracy; its growth needs fair recognition rules and space management so tourism does not crowd out ritual.

Why it matters

For people in the Kullu valley, a village god is not a statue but a member of the community: it owns land, travels, and is invited as a guest. Kullu Dussehra is when all those gods meet, so it holds villages together and sets local standing. It also feeds families: hotels, artisans and self-help groups earn much of their year in this week. As more devtas seek a place, the festival shows how a living tradition must decide who belongs and how to share limited ground without losing its meaning.

Prelims pointers

  • Raja Jagat Singh (AD 1637-1672) moved Kullu's capital from Nagar to Sultanpur and added Lag to the kingdom.
  • Kullu's first capital was Jagatsukh; Raja Visudh Pal moved it to Nagar.
  • Kullu's Pal kings began with Behangamani Pal in the first century AD; the Singh line began with Sidh Singh around AD 1500.
  • Kullu district came into being on 1 November 1966 as a district of Himachal Pradesh.
  • Pipal Jatra (Vasantotsava) at Dhalpur was revived in 1976 with help from the Himachal Academy of Arts, Culture and Language.
  • Ramlila is staged across northern India in the Dussehra season; Ayodhya, Ramnagar and Benares, Vrindavan, Almora, Sattna and Madhubani are its best-known forms, per UNESCO.
  • The river Beas takes its name from the sage Vyas; its older name, Vipasha, means 'liberator of bonds'.

Practise a UPSC-style question

With reference to Kullu Dussehra in Himachal Pradesh, consider the following statements:

1. The Raghunath idol at its heart was installed during the reign of Raja Sidh Singh of Kullu.

2. The festival begins on Vijayadashami and lasts about a week.

3. Its presiding deity is Lord Raghunath, whose idol was brought to Kullu from Ayodhya.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. (a) 1 and 2 only
  2. (b) 2 and 3 only
  3. (c) 1 and 3 only
  4. (d) 1, 2 and 3
Show the answer

Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only

Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only. The idol came in Raja Jagat Singh's reign, not Sidh Singh's.

Statement 1: incorrect. Raja Jagat Singh (1637-1672) brought the idol; Sidh Singh (from AD 1500) began the Singh line of Kullu kings.

Statement 2: correct. The Kullu district page says Kullu Dussehra begins on Vijayadashami and lasts for a week.

Statement 3: correct. Raghunath's idol was brought from Ayodhya and he became the valley's principal deity.

Eliminate: Judge statement 1 first: the founding legend belongs to Jagat Singh. Out: (a), (c), (d).

Trap: Swapped attribution. A real Kullu king from the same dynasty is put in place of the one tied to the idol.

Remember: Kullu Dussehra: starts on Vijayadashami, a week long; Raghunath from Ayodhya under Raja Jagat Singh.

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