The curtain was raised on a special event in New Delhi, jointly organized by the Himachal Pradesh state government and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), dedicated to the 9th edition of the India International Dance and Music Festival and the International Kullu Dussehra Festival 2023.
During the event, Sunder Singh Thakur, Chief Parliamentary Secretary of Tourism and Chairman of the International Kullu Dussehra Festival Organizing Committee, unveiled a teaser and released a booklet to offer a sneak peek into the grand celebration of the festival.
While discussing this with the media, Thakur revealed that this year's International Kullu Dussehra Festival, with its historical roots dating back to the 17th century, is scheduled to take place from October 24 to October 30 in Kullu. The festivities will commence with the renowned Rath Yatra of Lord Raghunath Ji, which will see participation of more than 300 local deities. Thakur highlighted the main attractions of the festival, including the International Carnival on October 25 and the Kullu Carnival Fest on October 30.
One of the key draws of the International Kullu Dussehra Festival is the International Cultural Festival, which will host cultural troupes from over 20 countries, such as Romania, Russia, Kazakhstan, Vietnam, Croatia, Thailand, Panama, Taiwan, the Maldives, Iran, Kenya, Malaysia, South Sudan, Zambia, Ethiopia, and Ghana.
Thakur stressed that the improved connectivity between Chandigarh and Kullu, with travel time reduced from six hours to four hours, and the availability of flights from Chandigarh, Amritsar, and Delhi to Kullu will further facilitate tourists to reach their destination comfortably.
Anu Ranjan, Deputy Director General of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, provided insights into the ICCR's support and the participation of cultural troupes in the festival. Shashi Pal Negi, Assistant Commissioner to Deputy Commissioner Kullu, extended a warm welcome to the guests and shared background information about the event.
Special guests will also include dignitaries from various embassies, including Sushil Kumar Singla, Principal Resident Commissioner, and Nandita Gupta, Advisor to the Government of Himachal Pradesh, were also part of the event.
How to reach Kullu?
Kullu is well-connected with other parts of the country by roads and air.
Roadways: Regular bus services operate from the HRTC bus terminals in Kullu and Manali, offering convenient access to major cities. Alternatively, travelers can opt for taxi services available at the local taxi stand.
Air travel: Kullu is seamlessly linked via air travel, with flights to and from Kullu-Manali Airport in Bhuntar. Bhuntar is situated 10 km from Kullu and 50 km from Manali, making it a convenient gateway for air travel.