While most people are familiar with the grand Dussehra celebrations held in Dhalpur, Kullu, very few know that the festival is also celebrated with great reverence in other parts of the Kullu region. Among these places, Manikaran stands out with its unique and ancient traditions. Located in the serene Parvati Valley, about 45 kilometers from Kullu, Manikaran is a spiritual haven where Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are believed to have lived for many years. This sacred town is not only known for its hot springs and religious significance but also for its own version of the Dussehra festival, which carries an age-old legacy.
The Legend of Manikaran: A Tale of Divine Jewelry and Hot Springs
According to mythology, the name
"Manikaran" comes from a fascinating story involving Lord Shiva and
Goddess Parvati. It is said that while Parvati was bathing in the Parvati
River, she lost her precious earring, or mani. Despite searching
everywhere, the earring could not be found. When Lord Shiva learned about this,
he used his divine powers to discover that the mani was in the
possession of Sheshnag, the serpent king, who had hidden it in Patal Lok (the
underworld).
Shiva requested Sheshnag to return the
earring, but the serpent refused. Fearing Shiva’s wrath, Sheshnag’s wife Nayana
intervened, urging her husband to return the jewel. To avoid Shiva’s anger,
Sheshnag finally threw the mani back to earth, which burst out of the
ground along with hot water springs. Thus, the place became known as Manikaran,
and Goddess Nayana is still worshipped there in the form of Goddess Shri Devi.
The Oldest
Dussehra: A Tradition Rooted in History
Though Kullu Dussehra is widely celebrated and
known for its grandeur, the Manikaran Dussehra holds a special place in history
as one of the oldest Dussehra festivals in the region. When the idol of Lord
Raghunath was brought to Kullu from Ayodhya in the 16th century, the temple of
Manikaran played a pivotal role in its early days. The first Dussehra
celebration in Kullu state is believed to have occurred here.
While Manikaran Dussehra is not as large in
scale as its counterpart in Kullu, its spiritual and cultural importance is
immense. The festival is celebrated with deep devotion and continues to
preserve its ancient customs and rituals.
A Unique
Celebration: Traditions of Manikaran Dussehra
Manikaran Dussehra begins on the Dashami of
Ashwin Shukla with elaborate rituals dedicated to Lord Raghunath, the presiding
deity of the festival. The celebrations involve several deities from
surrounding villages, including Goddess Naina Bhagwati, who pays homage to Lord
Raghunath at his temple.
One of the most captivating aspects of the
festival is the Rath Yatra, or chariot procession. Manikaran has two temples of
Lord Raghunath, both built in the Nagara style of architecture. The idols from
the old temple are ceremoniously brought to the new temple and placed in a
beautifully decorated chariot. Interestingly, the idol of Sita is not included
in the chariot until after a symbolic event later in the day.
A unique and thrilling moment during the
celebration occurs when the chariot procession reaches the lower end of its
route. At this point, the symbolic defeat of Ravana begins. An earthen pot, representing Ravana, is placed on the
opposite side of the Parvati River. Villagers on the right side of the river
then start competing to break the pot by throwing stones across the water. This
spirited contest takes time, and once the pot is finally shattered, the person
who succeeds is declared the winner. The victor is honoured with Hanuman Ji’s
flag and leads a procession to Shri Ram’s temple, accompanied by the deity
representatives. Following this, the idol of Sita is placed in a small chariot
and brought to join Lord Raghunath. The procession then returns to the starting
point, and the idols of Lord Ram and Sita are respectfully taken back to their
respective temples.
A Festival
of Community and Faith
The communal aspect of Manikaran Dussehra is
truly captivating. Deities from over a dozen villages come together to
celebrate, each bringing their own traditions and joining in the shared
devotion to Lord Raghunath. The festival also includes Rasleela performances,
where children dressed as Lord Krishna and Gopis perform traditional dances.
After the Rath Yatra concludes, the deities
return to their villages, but the spirit of the festival lingers. Villagers and
devotees exchange offerings, and on the final day of Sharad Purnima, the
festival ends with Rasleela performances outside the Raghunath temple.
Why
Manikaran Dussehra Deserves More Recognition
Manikaran Dussehra may not attract the same attention as the Kullu Dussehra, but it is a celebration that holds immense cultural and historical significance. The festival’s rituals, the gathering of village deities, and its deep-rooted connection to the mythology of the region make it an experience worth exploring. For those looking to dive deeper into the traditions of Himachal Pradesh, Manikaran Dussehra offers a rich and intimate glimpse into the ancient customs that continue to thrive in the Parvati Valley.
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