Kullu Dussehra

Categories:: Cultural
Tags:: Festivities
Where:: India
Date change rule:: Begins on the tenth day of Navratri (October)
Holiday emoji:: 🪔

Kullu Dussehra lights up the Kullu Valley in Himachal Pradesh, India, every October. This renowned seven-day International Dussehra festival celebrates the triumph of good over evil and the installment of Lord Raghunath. Join the thousands of devotees and tourists who immerse themselves in the rich cultural tapestry of music, dance, and vibrant processions.

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Expected Kullu Dussehra Deals

Kullu Dussehra, an international cultural event, focuses on the preservation and promotion of Himachali heritage rather than commercial deals. Local artisans and craftspeople showcase their traditional wares, providing unique opportunities to support the regional economy. Visitors can find handcrafted souvenirs, traditional garments, and local delicacies. Organizations like the Kullu Dussehra Committee and the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation often coordinate events, encouraging cultural exchange and community participation. We will update this page with confirmed live cultural programs and artisan markets as October approaches.

Platform Guide for Kullu Dussehra

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #KulluDussehra. Share vibrant photos and reels of the processions, traditional attire, and cultural performances.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #KulluDussehra. Share event updates, live streams of rituals, and community stories from the festival.

YouTube

Subscribe to @NationalToday for holiday video content. Document the elaborate Rath Yatra, folk dances, and musical performances that define Kullu Dussehra.

Kullu Dussehra Hero

Lord Raghunath

Lord Raghunath, an incarnation of Lord Rama, is the presiding deity of Kullu Dussehra. His idol, brought from Ayodhya in the 17th century by Raja Jagat Singh, is central to the festival's Rath Yatra. The week-long celebration commences with the ceremonial installation of the deity, symbolizing divine presence and the triumph of righteousness.

History of Kullu Dussehra

Kullu Valley, also known as ‘Kulanthapitha’ (Valley of Gods), is renowned for its annual grand Dussehra celebration, attracting thousands of tourists worldwide. The Kullu Dussehra festival dates back to the 16th century to the legend of King Jagat Singh of Kullu, who installed an idol of Raghunath on his throne as an act of repentance. Historians indicate that Lord Raghunath’s idol was brought to Kullu from Ayodhya in 1651, during the king’s rule.

King Jagat Singh invited all deities to come to pay tribute to Lord Raghunath, and thus began the annual Dussehra celebration which continues to this today. He also proclaimed Lord Raghunath as the supreme deity of Kullu Valley.

The celebrations of the Kullu Dussehra festival involve music and dance. The colorful decorations symbolize happiness and abundance. In 1972, Kullu Dussehra was declared an international festival. In 2016, the festival made its way to the Guinness World Records for bringing together more than 9,000 dancers for the largest voluntary folk dance performance.

Although the Dussehra festival is celebrated in different parts of India, Nepal, and Malaysia, only the weeklong festival in Kullu holds the status of an international festival. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 Kullu Dussehra celebrations were altered to ensure safety. There were strict social distancing and crowd control measures enforced in different Indian states. Members of the public were advised to stay indoors and celebrate the festival in a low-key manner.

Kullu Dussehra timeline

1660s

Kullu Dussehra Festival Begins

The Kullu Dussehra festival begins in Kullu valley.

1972

Kullu Dussehra Attains International Status

Kullu Dussehra gains recognition as an international festival.

2016

Makes a World Record

Kullu Dussehra gets a place in the Guinness World Records for organizing the world's largest voluntary folk dance performance with 9,892 dancers.

2021

COVID-19 Pandemic Halts Big Celebrations

The grand celebrations at Kullu Dussehra are toned down owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, and social distancing measures are implemented.

How Businesses Can Celebrate Kullu Dussehra

Local businesses in Kullu Valley, from guesthouses and restaurants to craft shops, thrive during Kullu Dussehra. Hotels can offer special packages for the seven-day festival, including cultural experiences and guided tours. Restaurants can feature traditional Himachali cuisine. Artisan shops should highlight their unique handcrafted goods, such as Kullu shawls and caps, which are popular during the festivities. Businesses can also sponsor cultural performances or contribute to the festival’s infrastructure, showcasing their commitment to preserving local heritage.

Kullu Dussehra FAQs

When is Kullu Dussehra?

Kullu Dussehra 2026 begins on Thursday, October 15, and continues for seven days in the Kullu Valley of Himachal Pradesh, India.

How many people attend Kullu Dussehra?

Kullu Dussehra attracts hundreds of thousands of devotees and tourists annually. The week-long festival sees a significant influx of visitors, with numbers often exceeding 500,000 people over the course of the celebrations.

What is the significance of Kullu Dussehra?

Kullu Dussehra uniquely celebrates the victory of good over evil, focusing on the worship of Lord Raghunath rather than the burning of effigies. It commemorates the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya and the installation of the deity in the Kullu Valley.

How is Kullu Dussehra different from other Dussehra celebrations?

Unlike other Dussehra celebrations in India where effigies of Ravana, Meghnad, and Kumbhakarna are burned, Kullu Dussehra centers around the worship of Lord Raghunath. The festival features a grand procession (Rath Yatra) of deities from various temples across the valley.

How to Observe Kullu Dussehra

Attend the festival in-person or online
Kullu Dussehra is a week-long period of colorful festivities. If you cannot be there physically, watching the celebrations online is always an option.
Decorate your house for the occasion
You could light up your space with ‘diyas’ (earthen oil lamps) and string lights. The diyas’ oil is said to represent human sins, so lighting it signifies "burning away" the bad.
Prepare some traditional delicacies
Why not use this occasion as an opportunity to try your hand at Indian cuisine? You can look up on the internet and prepare foods that are traditionally prepared during this festival. Dishes like ‘puris,’ ‘basundi,’ ‘puran poli,’ and ‘palak pakora’ are hugely popular at this time.

5 Facts About Kullu Dussehra

Artists from around the world participate
At the International Folk Dance Festival 2015 during Kullu Dussehra, artists from countries like Russia, Portugal, Kyrgyzstan, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Taiwan performed.
Known by another name
In the past, the Kullu valley was known as ‘Kuluta.’
Ban on animal sacrifice
Animal sacrifices have stopped being a part of Kullu Dussehra celebrations since 2014.
The Raghunath idol was once stolen
The famous idol of Lord Raghunath was stolen from the temple in December 2014 but was soon restored.
Thousands of tourists visit
More than 400,000 to 500,000 people visit Kullu valley to celebrate Kullu Dussehra.

Why Kullu Dussehra is Important

It has a symbolic significance
The Kullu Dussehra festival signifies the victory of good over evil. It is a holiday that seeks to promote moral goodness and kindness.
It spreads awareness about Hinduism
Events like the Kullu Dussehra festival educate more people about Hinduism. People also get to learn about various Hindu customs and traditions.
A surreal festive experience
The Kullu Dussehra festival is a beautiful event loved by many. We get to see beautiful people celebrating in a place with much historical significance.