The grand celebrations of the international Kullu Dussehra festival are all set to commence in Himachal Pradesh. The seven-day religious and cultural extravaganza will officially kick off on October 21 at around 4:00 PM with the grand chariot procession of Lord Raghunath at the historic Dhalpur ground. To ensure a smooth and secure event, the district administration and police department have put robust arrangements in place.
Comprehensive Security Deployment Across Dhalpur Ground
A massive contingent of security personnel has been deployed to safeguard the sprawling Dhalpur ground and its surrounding areas. A total of 1,265 police and home guard personnel will remain stationed on duty throughout the week-long festivities. Sharing details of the security blueprint, Kullu Superintendent of Police Abhishek Sekar stated that the Dhalpur ground has been demarcated into 6 distinct sectors to streamline management. Every single sector will be directly supervised and commanded by a gazetted officer to maintain strict vigil over the large gatherings.
Advanced Surveillance and Anti-Crime Measures
To fortify the security apparatus, authorities have integrated modern surveillance technology into their deployment plan. A network of 155 CCTV cameras has been installed across the venue to monitor continuous movement, supplemented by 5 advanced drone cameras keeping an aerial watch on the proceedings. The police chief also highlighted that specialized anti-rowdy cells will remain active during the festival to prevent harassment and maintain public order. Additionally, dedicated plainclothes police units will patrol the grounds to curb potential theft and pickpocketing incidents amidst the dense crowds.
Special Transit Arrangements and Electric Buses
To accommodate the influx of pilgrims and visitors attending the celebrations, enhanced transportation facilities have been arranged across the region. Kullu MLA and Dussehra Committee Chairman Sundar Singh Thakur flagged off a fleet of special Dussehra buses to facilitate smooth commuting. The transit fleet includes 30 electric mela special buses along with 15 ordinary buses deployed to meet passenger demand. These buses will operate at regular intervals of every 15 minutes, connecting vital routes from Raison to Bhuntar, Banjar, and Ani. To ensure festival-goers can travel back safely after evening events, the bus services will remain operational until 1:00 AM every night.
Cultural Evenings and Gathering of Deities
The religious mega-event will feature vibrant cultural evenings showcasing performances by renowned artists. Well-known Punjabi singer Satinder Sartaaj and popular playback singer Salman Ali, along with various other performers, will captivate audiences with their musical acts. The core spiritual essence of the festival is highlighted by the assembly of numerous local deities. The Dussehra Committee has formally extended invitations to 347 village deities across the district, with nearly 300 deities expected to participate in the sacred celebrations.
The Arrival of Goddess Hidimba From Manali
The commencement of the Kullu Dussehra festival is traditionally marked by the sacred journey of Goddess Hidimba from Manali. According to religious customs, the festivities cannot officially begin without her presence. Revered as the presiding deity and protector of the Kullu valley, Goddess Hidimba's participation is a mandatory precursor to the main events. The grand chariot procession of Lord Raghunath cannot commence until the palanquin carrying Goddess Hidimba travels from the Dungri temple and arrives at Dhalpur. Thousands of devout followers accompany the divine procession, marking the true spiritual beginning of the historic celebrations.
