Kullu (HP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Rath Yatra of Bhagwan Raghunath, the region's chief deity, and sought his blessings as he participated in the International Kullu Dussehra Festival today. Bhagwan Shri Raghunath is widely revered. The people beamed with joy and great fervour all around as PM Modi reached the Rath. PM also participated in the Dussehra Rath Yatra during the celebration. PM Modi received a warm welcome as he arrived for the International Kullu Dussehra Festival. He extended greetings to citizens on the occasion and expressed his happiness as this is for the first time he would be a part of the Dussehra festival in Kullu. 


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In a video posted by ANI, PM Modi can be seen visiting the Rath of Bhagwan Raghunath and seeking his blessings.



The festival is unique in the sense that it is the congregation of more than 300 deities of the valley. On the first day of the Festival, obeisance is paid to the Deities in their well-decorated palanquins at the temple of the Chief Deity Bhagwan Raghunath Ji and then it proceeds to the Dhalpur Ground.



"I am elated to provide the citizens of Himachal Pradesh with the gifts of projects of education, health, and infrastructure worth thousands of crores," PM Modi said adding that he will seek the blessings of the country by joining the Raghunath Ji Yatra."I am very fortunate to participate in the Kullu festival after so many years," he added. PM Modi`s remarks came after he inaugurated AIIMS Bilaspur and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects here.


History and Significace of Kullu Dussehra 


The Kullu Dussehra in Himachal Pradesh is a weeklong festival celebrated in October, is a special occasion and an opportune time to witness different shades of the valley’s vibrant culture.


The Kullu Dussehra is however, markedly different from rest of the country as the weeklong festival begins on the day it ends elsewhere. Started in the 17th century, the tradition was established when Raja Jagat Singh installed an idol of Lord Raghunath that had been brought from Ayodhya at the palace temple in Kullu.


Celebrated with great fanfare, more than 300 deities (‘Devtas’-Gods & Goddesses) of Kullu district, participate and pay their obeisance to Lord Shri Raghunath ji, the Principal deity of Kullu valley. The festival gets underway with the arrival of Goddess Hadimba from Manali, but the main function is that of the Lord Raghunath, colourfully dressed, riding into the ground in a hand pulled wooden chariot. The local Administration invites the deities to participate in the festival.


(With ANI inputs)