The sacred palanquins of deities have started arriving for the seven-day International Kullu Dasehra Festival, which is set to begin on October 2.
This year, the festival committee has invited 334 deities. Most of them will travel on foot across difficult terrain, while a few will cover short distances by jeep. Each participating deity, along with their traditional bands, called 'bajantaris,' receives a 'nazrana' (honorarium) from the festival panel.
Camp temples for the deities have been set up on the Dasehra ground.
To improve the arrangements, the committee has set up pagoda-shaped waterproof tents for many of the temples. Arrangements have also been made to accommodate the villagers who accompany the deities.
Well-known for its rich cultural and religious importance, the Kullu Dasehra Festival attracts thousands of visitors from across the state, country, and even abroad. This year’s celebrations will run from October 2 to October 8, promising a vibrant mix of tradition and festivity.
To ensure the festival runs smoothly, the district administration has put in place a detailed traffic and parking management plan. Deputy Commissioner Torul S Raveesh stated that 21 parking sites have been designated across the district, with a combined capacity of nearly 2,000 vehicles. She added that all necessary arrangements, including security and public facilities, are ready to handle the large number of devotees and tourists.
Traffic diversions will be in effect from September 28 to October 23. Several stretches have been declared tow-away zones, including Mohal to Dhalpur Chowk, College Chowk to the Kullu Electricity Board Office, Circular Road to Lower Dhalpur, and Ramshila–Sarwari–Akhara Bazar Road.
Loading and unloading of heavy vehicles between Bhuntar and Ramshila will be restricted to nighttime hours, from midnight to 7 am.
Designated parking areas are Khori Ropa (500 vehicles), Monal Café (180 vehicles), Tourism Hotel Sarvari (100 vehicles), Old Bus Stand Akhara (30 vehicles), among others. No-parking zones will be strictly enforced, with cranes used to tow away vehicles.
Adding to the festive spirit, traders from the state and across the country have installed temporary stalls in different markets as part of the trade fair, which will continue until November 2.
Festival Committee chairman Sunder Singh Thakur has stated that cultural programs will be organised every evening at the historic Lal Chand Prarthi Kala Kendra. He added that arrangements for sanitation, traffic control, and law enforcement are complete.
Cultural events will be a key attraction of the festival. The Kullu Dasehra Natya Utsav, supported by the Department of Language and Culture, will present theatrical performances by groups from Gandhinagar, Bhuntar, and Kullu on October 5 and 6 at Atal Sadan. A classical music and poetry conference will take place at Dev Sadan on October 3, featuring both established and emerging artists from the region.
The Kullu Dasehra Sports Festival 2025 will showcase the spirit of competition from October 4 to 7 at Rath Maidan. Events will include men’s and women’s volleyball, boxing, and tug-of-war. Teams are required to register with the sports department by 4 pm on October 3.
The Deputy Commissioner stated that all departments and sub-committees are coordinating closely to ensure the festival’s celebrations run smoothly.
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