If you're planning an autumn visit to the Kullu valley, try to time it with Kullu Dussehra — one of the most spectacular festivals in the Himalayas. While the rest of India winds down its Dussehra celebrations after Vijaya Dashami, Kullu's is only just beginning. For seven days the valley fills with hundreds of village deities, beating drums, swirling crowds and a depth of devotion you won't find anywhere else.
What makes Kullu Dussehra special
Unlike the Dussehra celebrated elsewhere, there are no towering effigies of Ravana burned here. Instead the festival centres on Lord Raghunath (a form of Rama), the presiding deity of Kullu. The tradition goes back to the 17th century, when Raja Jagat Singh installed an idol of Raghunath to atone for a curse and declared him the valley's ruling god. Ever since, the region's many village gods gather each year to pay their respects.
The most moving sight is the arrival of more than 300 local deities, carried down from their villages on richly decorated palanquins by hundreds of devotees. They converge on the Dhalpur Maidan in Kullu town, where the grand Rath Yatra — the pulling of Raghunath's chariot by the crowd — marks the official start of the celebrations.
When and where
The festival is held at the Dhalpur Maidan in Kullu town, about 22 km south of Naggar. It begins on Vijaya Dashami, the day Dussehra ends elsewhere, and runs for a week — in 2025 it ran from 2 to 8 October, so expect early-to-mid October each year. Recognised as an international festival by the state, it draws lakhs of visitors, traders and cultural troupes.
What to see and do
- The opening Rath Yatra — join or watch as the chariot is hauled across the maidan on day one.
- The deity gathering — wander among the palanquins to the sound of narsingha horns and dhol-nagara drums.
- Cultural evenings — folk dance and music troupes, sometimes international, perform after dusk.
- The trade fair — stalls selling Kullu shawls, caps, handicrafts and hill food fill the ground.
- Lanka Dahan — the closing ritual on the riverbank on the final day.
Practical tips
Kullu is an easy 45-minute to one-hour drive from Naggar by taxi or bus, so you can visit for the day and return by evening. Go early — the maidan gets crowded by mid-morning and parking near Dhalpur is limited, so leave your vehicle on the edge of town and walk in. Carry water, a hat and some cash for the stalls, and keep an eye on your belongings in the crush. Hotels in Kullu and Manali book out months ahead during the festival, which is one more reason to base yourself a little away from the chaos.
If you'd like a quiet place to return to after a day in the crowds, Ghar in the Hills in Naggar keeps you within easy reach of Kullu while staying above the festival bustle.
Plan your autumn trip
Kullu Dussehra is the valley at its most alive — colour, faith and mountain culture all in one place. If an October visit to Himachal is on your list, build a day around it, and book your stay at Ghar in the Hills to wake up to valley views before heading down to the festival.