Dharamshala, Oct. 22 -- Kullu Dussehra was not merely a religious festival but a living expression of Himachal Pradesh's rich Dev Sanskriti, folk traditions, collective faith and social harmony, said Himachal governor Kavinder Gupta on Wednesday while formally inaugurating the week-long International Kullu Dussehra Festival at the historic Dhalpur Ground in Kullu.

The celebrations mark the beginning of one of the state's most renowned cultural and religious celebrations.

The festivities began with the traditional Rath Yatra of Lord Raghunath, with more than 347 local deities from different parts of the Kullu Valley participating in the historic congregation. Bindu Gupta, wife of the governor, was also present on the occasion.

Extending...