1. Nati, the folk dance of Himachal at Dhalpur ground. 8,000 women performed together. Notice their dress, local designs. This Dussehra starts on the day it ends in the rest of India. It was from November 5-11 2022. It is all about local Devis and Devata’s, Raghunathji. Ras Leela is a common practice in the region.
2. The trumphet is called Thankru. “Devi-devtas of coming from various places of Kullu pay respect to Raghunathji at Dhalpur as they reach and settle down at places allotted to them. In the morning on the 10th of bright half of Aswin all the devatas come out from their tents & proceed with musicians towards the temple of Raghunathji. They are offered, on behalf of the temple, a phagu (a long yellow coloured piece of cloth). Then they come at the praul (the main gate of Tharah Karudu in the palace).”
3. Devis and Devata’s arriving in Kullu. “By afternoon, the rites to be performed before appearance of Thakur (Raghunathji) are completed. One person goes from the temple of Raghunathji with a chhari (a long staff) to the palace to invite the Raja. On the arrival of the Raja the murtis of Rama (Ragthunathji) and Sita are decorated with flowers, beautiful clothes & placed in a palanquin. From the temple the Raja is offered a bagaa (about a meter long coloured cloth with which the devatas are decorated) and phargal to the other members of the royal family, and phagu to the sevaks.”
4. The trumphet is called Thankru. “Bijli Mahadev, of whom Lord Shiva is an incarnation, and Hidimba Devi, the Goddess who comes from Manali, take part in the procession with their retinue.”
5. Close-up of Devi/Devta’s. Jaleb is a procession of deities. “The murti of Raghunathji was brought to Kullu from Ayodhya on Vijay Dashmi and all the gods and goddesses were invited by the King to the Dhalpur grounds, which became the permanent venue for Dussehra celebrations.”
6. Devis and Devata’s. “The wooden rath (chariot) of Raghunathji which is placed permanently at the northern end of Dhalpur ground is decorated with coloured clothes, ornaments and bells. Murtis Sri Rama and Sita are placed in the rath. After performing prayer the Raja, members of his family, the priest of Raghunath and sevaks, with the band of musicians take round of the rath five or seven times. On the last round the Raja touches the rope attached with the rath. Immediately, people shouting the slogans like Jai Siya Ram, Jai Hanuman, pull the rath and take upto the lower ground where it is stationed during the Dussehra period.”
7. Close up of Devi/Devata.
8. Raghunathji chariot with Devis and Devata’s following procession. “The whole fair-ground resounds with the sound of dhol, nagara, sehnai, dhouns, bhana and ransingas. It was as if that the whole Devlok have arrived here on the earth.”
9. Kullu Dussehra also has a Folk Dance Festival that attracts artists from various parts of India. These artists are from Braj, Uttar Pradesh. U see Sri Krishna and Radha (correct if wrong).
10. Getting ready for Nati dance. “Among a variety of dances in Kullu like Ghadai, Panjragi, Dohri, Pheti, Basahri, Lahuli, Kortha, Charase-Tarase, Bandhu, Rakhs, and Phagli etc, Lalhri dance is very popular. Until 3 decades ago, followers of Devi-Devtas danced whole night in front of their tents during Dussehra. The big Lalhri was held in the Chanani (camp) of Raja Kullu in which hundreds of dancers took part. Now most villages are connected with motorable road, so most return to their homes in evening. Now Lalhri dance takes place in the Chanani of Raja.”
11. Also a Maha Naati (folk song) was organized on 3rd day of festival at Dhalpur ground, in which around 8,000 women took part. “Ras Leela, a dance form associated with Lord Krishna and Gopis, and entertaining plays of Chandravali are performed here.”
12. Love the colours. “Day 1 celebration starts with Chariot Journey or Rathyatra of Lord Raghunathiji. Days 2-5 Every morning & evening parades of the Gods and Goddesses are organized. Day 7 Chariot of Raghunathji is taken near River Beas. On the banks of the river, heap of thorn bushes are put on fire to mark the killing of demon king Ravana by Lord Rama and burning of Lanka.” Source https://www.kulluonline.in/city-guide/kullu-dussehra
13. Folk dance participants.
14. Himachali performance, please help with caption.
15. Please help with caption.
16. Braj ki Holi Dance. Top is Sri Krishna. The thaali in one hand represents the Sudarshan Chakra, in the other is flute.
17. Thougal Jagoi dance of Manipur. To enjoy state’s dance & music visit Sangai Festival held in November. See album https://www.esamskriti.com/a/Manipur/Sangai-Festival-2014.aspx
18. eSamskriti is grateful to Aquil for sharing these lovely pictures. Please bless him. Info on captions taken from http://kulludussehra.hp.gov.in/rath-procession/