A record 347 deities, centuries-old mountain pilgrimages, international folk performances and a 500-drone spectacle set the stage for seven extraordinary days in the Himalayas.
Munish Sood
KULLU
As Dussehra celebrations draw to a close across much of India with the burning of Ravana’s effigies, a spectacular cultural and spiritual gathering begins in the Himalayan valley of Kullu. Here, Dussehra is not an ending but a beginning—a week-long celebration in which hundreds of village deities arrive from across the mountains, ancient traditions come alive and the valley transforms into a meeting ground of faith, folklore and global cultures.
The Kullu Dussehra, scheduled from October 21 to 27, promises an extraordinary spectacle this year, with a record 347 local deities invited to participate in the annual congregation. The figure significantly exceeds the traditional baseline of 284 deities recorded in the region’s Wajib-ul-Arz revenue records, highlighting the unprecedented scale of the 2026 celebrations.
Yet, the festival’s grandeur cannot be measured by numbers alone. Its real magic lies in a centuries-old tradition that continues to bind remote Himalayan villages to their deities, preserving a distinctive cultural identity in an age increasingly shaped by modernisation.
A journey of faith across the mountains
Long before the celebrations reach Dhalpur Maidan, the festival begins on the mountain trails of Kullu. In an era of motorable roads and modern transport, some deities and their caretakers, known as Kardars, undertake arduous journeys on foot, travelling distances of 150 to 200 kilometres across challenging terrain to join the annual congregation.
Accompanied by traditional palanquins, musicians and devotees, these processions bring the cultural traditions of far-flung villages into the heart of the valley. The journey itself becomes an expression of devotion, community pride and continuity with the past.
As the deities arrive at Dhalpur, the atmosphere changes dramatically. The beats of dhols and nagaras echo across the grounds, while the deep, resonant notes of traditional brass karnals announce the arrival of processions. Colourful Himachali attire, handwoven shawls and elaborately decorated palanquins create a striking visual spectacle against the backdrop of the surrounding mountains.
For participating communities, this is more than an annual religious gathering. It is a reaffirmation of collective identity and an opportunity to preserve customs passed down through generations.
The legacy of Raja Jagat Singh
The origins of Kullu Dussehra are rooted in the 17th century and associated with Raja Jagat Singh, whose reign gave the festival its enduring religious significance.
According to local tradition, the king was troubled by guilt after an incident involving a Brahmin and sought spiritual redemption. He subsequently brought the idol of Lord Raghunath from Ayodhya and installed the deity as the supreme ruler of his kingdom, placing himself in the position of a humble servant.
The tradition is commonly traced to 1651, when the worship of Lord Raghunath became central to the kingdom’s religious life. The annual gathering of village deities is associated with this legacy, under which the deities of the valley came together to pay their respects to the presiding deity.
Centuries later, this tradition remains the defining feature of Kullu Dussehra, distinguishing it from other Dussehra celebrations across the country.
Lord Raghunath at the heart of the festival
At the centre of the celebrations stands Lord Raghunath Ji, revered locally as Lord Rama and regarded as the presiding deity of Kullu.
The traditional Rath Yatra, featuring the deity’s imposing wooden chariot, is among the festival’s most significant events. Devotees gather in large numbers to pull the chariot’s thick ropes, turning the procession into a powerful expression of collective faith.
The sight of hundreds of deities converging in the same valley, accompanied by their respective attendants and musicians, offers a rare glimpse into Himachal Pradesh’s distinctive religious traditions. Here, deities are not merely figures of worship confined to temples; they occupy a living place in the social and cultural life of their communities.
When ancient folklore lights up the Himalayan sky
While its spiritual foundations remain firmly rooted in tradition, Kullu Dussehra 2026 is also set to embrace modern technology on a spectacular scale.
A 500-drone light show and laser exhibition are planned for the second, fourth and sixth nights of the festival. The aerial display is expected to illuminate the valley, using coordinated lights and visual effects to portray elements of local folklore and cultural heritage.
The initiative adds a contemporary dimension to a festival traditionally defined by religious processions, folk music and community participation. It also offers an opportunity to present the region’s stories and cultural identity through a modern visual medium.
The contrast is striking: traditions preserved over centuries will share the spotlight with advanced aerial technology, demonstrating how cultural celebrations can evolve without abandoning their historical roots.
A global stage for cultural exchange
The international dimension of the festival will be reflected in performances by cultural troupes from more than 20 countries, according to the programme details provided for this year’s event.
A major global dance presentation is planned to bring Kullu Nati, the region’s celebrated folk dance, together with international folk traditions. The spectacle is expected to showcase the diversity of dance, music and movement while placing Himachali culture in a broader international context.
The festival’s cultural programme will add another layer to the celebrations, with local artists and international performers sharing the same platform. For visitors, it will offer an opportunity to experience the cultural richness of the Himalayas alongside traditions from around the world.
A Dussehra that breaks the national mould
Kullu’s celebration differs fundamentally from the familiar Dussehra format in which towering effigies of Ravana, Meghnad and Kumbhakarna are set alight on Vijayadashami.
Here, the festival begins around Vijayadashami and continues for seven days. Its concluding ritual, known as Lanka Dahan, traditionally involves burning a small pile of dry grass, twigs and bushes on the banks of the Beas River.
The emphasis is not on the dramatic destruction of large effigies but on the congregation of deities, the central role of Lord Raghunath Ji and the preservation of local religious customs.
This distinctive format has helped Kullu Dussehra establish its identity as one of the most recognisable cultural and religious festivals of the Himalayan region.
Seven days that bring Devbhoomi together
From deities travelling hundreds of kilometres on foot to the pulling of Lord Raghunath’s chariot, from the thunder of traditional instruments to the glow of hundreds of drones, Kullu Dussehra 2026 brings together elements that span centuries of cultural evolution.
The record congregation of 347 deities gives this year’s festival a defining feature, while international performances and high-tech displays broaden its appeal beyond the region.
But beneath the spectacle lies a deeper story: the survival of a living heritage in which faith travels across mountains, village traditions retain their relevance and generations continue to participate in a shared cultural legacy.
For seven days, Dhalpur Maidan will become more than a festival venue. It will serve as a meeting point for the spiritual traditions of Himachal Pradesh and the cultural expressions of the wider world.
In Kullu, Dussehra is not simply a festival of victory over evil. It is a celebration of continuity—where ancient traditions remain alive, the gods are welcomed among the people, and a Himalayan valley opens its doors to the world.
