Himachal deities’ followers ignore compromise bid

KULLU - The Himachal Pradesh government has again failed to end a decades-old impasse between the followers of two deities over the superiority of their gods before the week-long Dussehra celebrations that began here Sunday.

“This time again, the supporters of both the deities refused to relent despite the intervention of Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal,” Khimi Ram, local legislator and chief organiser of the Kullu Dussehra Organising Committee, told IANS.

He said followers of both the deities — Shringa Rishi and Balu Nag — were summoned by the government-appointed negotiators but it seemed they were in no mood to end the deadlock.

The origin of the rivalry dates back to the early 1970s over the positions the deities would hold during the processions during the festival.

According to tradition, the idol of the superior deity is carried on the right side of the chariot of Lord Raghunath (Lord Ram), the chief deity, during the procession taken out on the first and last day.

For many decades, Shringa Rishi, who was Lord Ram’s guru, used to occupy that place.

“After 1971, followers of Shringa Rishi boycotted the ceremony for 11 years over a dispute. Balu Nag, who is considered the incarnation of Lord Ram’s brother Lakshman, then took that spot,” state language, art and culture department director Prem Sharma said.

“When the conflict among their followers grew stronger, both stopped participating in the festival,” he added.

“Now they have again started participating after a gap of 18 years. Tempers often rise among the followers during the ceremonies over the place of honour for their deities,” Sharma said.

The organisers said this year too both the deities were not sent invitations to participate.

However, Balu Nag reached here Sunday without invitation.

“We have not invited Balu Nag so it will not participate in any ritual,” Khimi Ram said, adding that more than 250 deities have reached the historic Dhalpur Maidan out of the 290 invited.

Deputy Commissioner B.M. Nanta, who is also a member of the organising committee, said the movement of Balu Nag would be restrained till the festival is over.

Mohar Singh, the head priest of Shringa Rishi, said: “We will not participate in the festival till the matter is settled.”

Kullu Dussehra is a festival with a difference as the celebrations begin here when they come to an end in the rest of the country. Unlike other places, effigies of Ravan, Meghnad and Kumbhakaran are not burnt here.

However, the ‘evil empire’ will be destroyed by the assembled deities during the Lanka Dahan ceremony on the banks of the river Beas Oct 23.

The Kullu Dussehra dates to 1637 when Raja Jagat Singh was the ruler of the Kullu Valley. He had invited all the local deities to participate in the festival. Since then, the assembly of deities from hundreds of villages across Kullu district has become a tradition.