Lalhri Nati of Kullu Dussehra: Guinness World Record Holder
On the tenth day of the bright half of a Lunar month, the Dhalpur ground, known as the Soh of Thara Kardu, decorated with colourful flowers, tents, domes etc. was looking beautiful. Decorated with colourful costumes, jewellery and moharas of gold and silver, the palanquins of gods and goddesses seated on the shoulders of people from Ujhi, Lagg, Maharaja, Rupi, Banjar, Sainj and Outer Saraj area of district, when reached Dhalpur ground the scene was amazing. The whole fair ground was resounded 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.
Kullu Dussehra is celebrated in the entire district with great enthusiasm. This fair has its unique character due to its Gods and Goddesses. Here nor the Ramlila is shown neither the images of Ravana, Kumbhkarna and Meghnatha are burnt. All its rituals are different. However, this is a main fair of Lord Raghunath ji and is not related with the conquering of Rama over Ravana. The idol of Raghunath ji was brought to Kullu from Ayodhya on Dashmi of Shukal paksh of Ashwin month. On that day the all Devi-Devtas were invited by Raja Jagat Singh in Dhalpur ground. This ground was a cultivated land of Rani of Raja Jagatsukh. She gifted this ground to celebrate this fair.
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 three decades ago, the followers of Devi-Devtas used to dance in whole night in front of their tents during Dussehra. Male and female dancers used to take part in lalhri dance till next morning. The big Lalhri was held in the Chanani (camp) of Raja Kullu in which hundreds of dancers took part. Now the most of villages has been attached with motor able road, so most of the people return their homes in the evening, which affected the Lalhri dance of late night. Now only main officials of Devi-Devtas like Kardar, Pujari, Gur, Dhami, Dhounsi etc. stays in the tents with Devi-Devtas. Now only Lalhri is happened in the Chanani of Raja on the Muhalla night.