Legend of Kullu Dussehra

Celebrated with a matchless vigor and zeal in the valley, the origin of the festival lies in the royal fads of the region. Legend states that one of the contemporary rulers of Kullu, King Jagat Singh went to Manikaran on a pilgrimage. Someone misinformed the king that a local Brahmin Durga Dutt possessed loads of fine pearls. The king naturally wanted to have some of the pearls. He therefore sent some of his men to ask the Brahmin if he would sell some of his pearls. The latter politely told the royal men that he did not have any such pearls. At this, the King's men started beating him. To avoid their torture, the Brahmin said that he would sell the pearls to the king on his return from Manikaran.

After the King's return, his men again went to the Brahmin who locked himself and his family in the house and set it ablaze. After this, he climbed the roof of the burning house with a sharp knife and started throwing parts of his body at the ground. "You want pearls, here are the pearls", he yelled.

The king, having witnessed the scene lost his mind and became unable to perform his duties. Later on, a holy man advised him to bring the image of "Lord Raghunathji" from Ayodhya and worship it for relief. On arrival of the image, Singh and his family paid homage of the Deity and the King declared that henceforth, Lord Raghunathji will righteously rule the kingdom while he and his descendents would only act as regents. Since then the Lord has been ruling the region and has become the most reverend deity here.