Kullu Dussehra 2026: 300 deities, troupes from 24 nations, Oct 21-27
File photo: Kondephy (CC BY-SA 3.0), via Wikimedia Commons
International Kullu Dussehra runs 21-27 October 2026 with 300-plus valley deities and troupes from about 24 countries, organisers said at a Delhi curtain raiser on 14 October.
What Happened
The International Kullu Dussehra will be held from 21 to 27 October 2026 in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, with about 24 countries expected to send cultural troupes, organisers said at a curtain raiser in New Delhi on Wednesday, 14 October 2026. Sundar Singh Thakur, the Congress MLA who chairs the festival's organising committee, said about 12 countries, including the USA, Russia, Thailand, Egypt, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, have confirmed participation. Governor Kavinder Gupta will open the festival on 21 October and Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu will preside over the closing on 27 October. For the first time, the programme will include a "Global Dance" blending Indian and international troupes, along with drone and laser shows.
Key Facts
- International Kullu Dussehra 2026 runs from 21 to 27 October in Kullu.
- A curtain raiser was held in New Delhi on 14 October to spread awareness of the festival, after an earlier one at Atal Sadan in Kullu.
- About 24 countries are expected; around 12 have confirmed, according to the organising committee chairman.
- Governor Kavinder Gupta will inaugurate the festival, and Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu will attend the closing.
- The festival opens with the Rath Yatra of Lord Raghunath, and more than 300 local deities are expected to take part.
- New this year: a "Global Dance" programme and drone and laser shows, with about 500 drones on the second, fourth and sixth days.
- More than 650 plots have been allotted at Dhalpur Ground for stalls, businesses and attractions.
- The Indian Council for Cultural Relations is a cultural partner, according to organisers.
Why It Matters
Kullu Dussehra has its own character. It centres on Lord Raghunath, and the opening Rath Yatra, when devotees pull Raghunath's chariot across the festival ground, is its defining moment. Deities from villages across the valley are brought to Kullu for the festival, and this year more than 300 are expected.
The festival is both a living religious tradition and a major cultural event for Himachal Pradesh. The participation of more than 300 deities shows how deeply it is rooted in local village life, while the international troupes, global dance programme and drone shows show the state's effort to present it to a wider audience. Holding a curtain raiser in New Delhi is part of that push, aimed at drawing visitors from beyond the hills.
The mix of the sacred and the modern will be watched closely. Drone and laser shows can attract young visitors and tourists, but organisers will also need to protect the rituals and the role of the deities, which give the festival its character.
For the local economy, the seven days are significant. More than 650 plots at Dhalpur Ground have been allotted for businesses and attractions, and the festival crowd brings trade to hotels and transport operators in the valley.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Dates | 21 to 27 October 2026 |
| Venue | Dhalpur Ground, Kullu |
| Opening | Rath Yatra of Lord Raghunath; inauguration by Governor Kavinder Gupta |
| Closing | 27 October, with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu |
| Countries expected | About 24 (around 12 confirmed) |
| New features | Global Dance, drone and laser shows |
Impact
Short-term: Kullu is preparing for large crowds from 21 October, with stalls allotted, cultural programmes scheduled and deities expected to arrive from across the valley.
Long-term: A bigger international profile could bring more visitors to Kullu and strengthen the festival's place on India's cultural calendar, as long as its rituals and community roots are respected.
Who is affected: Devotees and the communities who bring their village deities, artisans and traders at Dhalpur Ground, tourists and the hospitality sector in Kullu, and performers from India and abroad.
Key Takeaway
International Kullu Dussehra, from 21 to 27 October 2026, will bring together more than 300 valley deities and troupes from about 24 countries, adding drone shows and a global dance to a centuries-old festival.
Questions and Answers
When is Kullu Dussehra 2026?
International Kullu Dussehra 2026 will be held from 21 to 27 October in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, starting with the Rath Yatra of Lord Raghunath.
How many countries will take part in Kullu Dussehra 2026?
About 24 countries are expected, and around 12, including the USA, Russia, Thailand, Egypt, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, have confirmed, according to the organising committee chairman Sundar Singh Thakur.
What is new at Kullu Dussehra this year?
For the first time, the festival will feature a "Global Dance" blending Indian and international troupes, as well as drone and laser shows using about 500 drones on three of its days.
Who will inaugurate Kullu Dussehra 2026?
Governor Kavinder Gupta will inaugurate the festival on 21 October, and Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu will preside over the closing on 27 October.
Disclaimer: Prepared by the Peepals newsroom from publicly available sources with AI assistance. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. Images may be representative. Not professional advice. Report an error via our contact page.
Sourced and fact-checked by the Peepals Global Editorial Team
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