Top News
‘Gods’, ‘goddesses’ arrive at Kullu Dussehra
Shimla, Oct 19 (IANS) Over 200 ‘gods and goddesses’ assembled in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu town for the week-long Kullu Dussehra festivities that began on Friday.
Kullu Dussehra, a centuries-old festival, begins on Vijaya Dashami, the day when the festivities end in the rest of the country.
“Over 200 deities have already arrived and the arrival of the rest continue,” Deputy Commissioner Yunus Khan, the chief organiser of the festival, told IANS.
He said 305 deities have been extended the invitation for the Kullu Dussehra.
Unlike other parts of the country, here effigies of Ravan, Meghnad and Kumbhakarna are not burnt.
The ‘evil empire’ will be destroyed by the assembled deities during the Lankadahan ceremony on the bank of the Beas on October 25, the last day of the celebrations.
The chariot of Lord Raghunath, the chief deity, accompanied by palanquins of other assembled deities, reached the historic Dhalpur Maidan here amid beating of drums and playing of ‘shehnais’.
Thousands of devotees pulled the sacred rath (chariot) of Lord Raghunath.
Governor Acharya Devvrat inaugurated and participated in the festivities.
The festival dates back to 1637, when Raja Jagat Singh ruled Kullu. He had invited all local deities in Kullu to perform a ritual in honour of Lord Raghunath during Dussehra.
Since then, the annual assembly of deities from hundreds of village temples has become a tradition.
After the abolition of princely states, it is the administration which has been inviting the deities.
According to tradition, the devotees bring the idol of their deity in a decorated palanquin with fanfare from the respective temples dotted across the picturesque Kullu Valley to this historical town.
Here, the assembled deities participate in the Dussehra processions led by the chariot of Lord Raghunath, the chief deity, on the first and the last day of the festival.
Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur would the concluding festivities on October 25.
In the wake of the state high court ban on the sacrifice of animals to “appease” the gods and goddesses, the government has issued an advisory.
For centuries, the festival has concluded with a sacrifice of a buffalo, a male sheep, a fish, a crab and a chicken.
The picturesque Kullu Valley is known for its local demigods that govern the lives of the ethnic communities.
Every village has several resident ‘gods’ and ‘goddesses’ who are invoked as living deities.
The conduit between the mortals and the deities are the ‘gur’ — the traditional shamans, who form the core of the communities’ spiritual sustenance. The ‘gur’ mediates between the people and the gods.
–IANS
vg/prs
Top News
Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.