More than 300 deities participate in Kullu Dussehra, one of the oldest fairs of the country.
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The deities, being carried in palanquins by devotees, start gathering in Sultanpur, the former capital of erstwhile Kullu state, on the morning of the first day of Dussehra.
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The Gods and Goddesses first pay their obeisance to Lord Raghunath, the presiding deity at Kullu Dussehra.
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Then they meet the erstwhile king at his palace in Sultanpur — a 300-year-old old tradition still followed to this day.
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Deities enter the palace to the sounds of drums and trumpets in Sultanpur, Kullu
A deity entering the palace of erstwhile royals of Kullu.
After meeting the king, all the deities move to the Dussehra ground in Dhalpur.
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Here the idols of King Rama are placed inside a wooden chariot.
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As the deities assemble here, they start meeting each other.
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The Rath Yatra starts at twilight with devotees pulling the chariot from one part of the Dussehra ground to other.
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Thousands of people take part in this grand rath yatra, which rolls out to the sounds of drums and trumpets.
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This entire ritual is followed every year in Kullu Dussehra, making it a truly unique festival of India.
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