Tight security for Kullu Dussehra

Shimla, Oct 1 (UNI) Tight security arrangements have been made for the ten-day long International Kullu Dussehra beginning tomorrow, Kullu district Superindent of police G D Bhargava said.

The venue of the festival, Dhalpur Maidan, has been divided into six special security zones, which would be under the supervision of Additional Superintendent of Police.

Mr Bhargava said as many as 1,300 additional police personnel have been deployed this year to prevent any untoward incident during the festival.

Police was also keeping an eye on all the places frequented by people while strict vigil was being maintained on anti-social elements, he said.

State Governor V S Kokje would inaugurate the week-long festivities to be concluded on October eight, while Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh would preside over the inaugural function.

On the first day of Dussehra, the 'rath yatra' of Lord Rama would be led by Mr Maheshwar Singh, descendent of former ruler of Kullu Raja Jagat Singh.

Thousands of devotees would then pull the colourful wooden chariot from its fixed place in Dhalpur Maidan to another spot across the maidan by big ropes.

Local people consider the pulling of chariot sacred, since all the gods of the valley visit Kullu on the occasion.

On the last day of the celebrations, the chariot of Lord Raghunath would be taken to the Beas River banks where a pile of wood and grass be set on fire symbolising the burning of Lanka.

Then the chariot would be brought back to its original place and the idol of Raghunathji taken back to the temple in Sultanpur, to be kept in safe custody till the next Dussehra.

Kullu Deputy Commissioner Chamel Singh said cultural tropes from Maharastra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh, Puducherry, Mizoram, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Goa would present folk dances on the occasion.

Famous gazal singer Jagjit Singh would also perform in the festival, he added.

Mr Singh said a trade fair would also be organised during the festival and traders from all over the valley would set up temporary stalls in the maidan.

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