Haripur: Away from the grandeur and international profile of Kullu Dussehra at Dhalpur Maidan, Haripur Dussehra, near the popular tourist destination of Manali, is carving out its own identity through its close connection with local traditions, folk culture and community participation.
The festival presents a different cultural experience, rooted in the traditional lifestyle of Kullu and distinguished by its emphasis on folk performances and local heritage rather than spectacle and commercial glamour.
Its growing recognition reflects the efforts of local organisers to preserve cultural practices while developing the fair as an important regional attraction.
Nakul Khullar, Director of Baragarh Resort & Spa, operating under IHCL SeleQtions, and an Award of Excellence winner, attended the Haripur Dussehra festival as the chief guest.
He used the occasion to deliver a message of "Say No to Drugs” urging young people to shun substance abuse and embrace a healthy lifestyle.
Khullar was warmly received by Gram Panchayat Pradhan Amar Thakur and Mela Committee President C.P. Negi on his arrival. The cultural programmes and the vibrant atmosphere of the fair drew appreciation from visitors.
Appreciating the organisation of the festival, Khullar said Haripur Dussehra was steadily establishing its own identity, much like the internationally recognised Kullu Dussehra.
He praised the quality of the events and the cultural performances presented during the fair.
He also stressed the need to upgrade the local Kala Kendra to provide better facilities for cultural activities and encourage the preservation and promotion of the region’s artistic traditions. Khullar said he would hold discussions with the state government on the proposal to develop the cultural centre.
The proposed upgradation could provide a stronger platform for local performers and help sustain folk traditions by creating more opportunities for cultural programmes in the area.
While Kullu Dussehra at Dhalpur is known for the congregation of hundreds of local deities, its large-scale celebrations and international visibility, Haripur Dussehra offers a more locally centred expression of the region’s cultural identity.
Its significance lies in the continuity of folk traditions and the participation of the community in keeping them alive.
The festival also reflects the potential of cultural events to complement tourism in the Manali region by drawing attention to the traditions and lifestyles that form an essential part of Kullu’s heritage.
Advocate Rana, Balakrishna Mahant, Gyan, Ses Ram, Diwan Negi, Balakrishna Sharma and several other prominent personalities were present on the occasion.
