To the delight of tourists and local people, this year's week-long international Kullu Dussehra will have more traditional fervour with a running commentary on the proceedings and history of customs.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh taking personal interest in the festival has ordered his officials to provide best of the amenities to the devotees and highlight the cultural importance of festival by organiSing different competitions and other activities.As per records of Tourism Department, thousands of foreign tourists flock to Kullu to watch international Kullu Dussehra festival where numerous cultural programmes are held during week long extravaganza.
tHE Chief Minister said that week-long famous International Kullu Dussehra would be celebrated with traditional fervour from October 14-20 this year.While presiding over a meeting of state-level Kullu Dussehra organising committee, Singh directed to take necessary steps for highlighting the traditional customs and rich folk culture of the State, during the festival.
He said that 'Rath Yatra' of leading deity lord Raghunath on the inaugural day is the main attraction of festival and should be highlighted properly.He directed the officials to explore the possibility of running commentary of Rath Yatra on the analogy of 'Rath Yatra' of Jagannath Puri.He said variety of cultural programmes depicting rich culture and folklore of the State, should be given more importance and efforts should be made to invite best cultural troupes from different parts of the country and abroad as well.
The Chief Minister suggested that competitions based on folk dance and folk music, instruments should also be organised in the day time along-with evening cultural programmes for the entertainment of tourists and local people.He said that winners of these competitions should be suitably rewarded. He also directed for proper arrangements and providing best possible facilities and remuneration to the accomplice of Deities.
"The matter has been taken up with Central Government for grant of Rs 40 lakh for providing tent facilities to the deities and their accomplice during the festival. Sports events and an attractive exhibition depicting latest developments in various sectors would also be organized during the festival," he added.
Chief Minister directed the concerned officers to make all necessary arrangements pertaining to their department to organize the festival in a better way.International Kullu Dussehra is one of the main International Festivals of the State.Other festivals are Shivratri fair of Mandi, summer festival of Shimla, lavi of Rampur and Minjar of Chamba districts.