Himachal: Two injured in fire at Kullu Dussehra, tents of deities, shops gutted

The week-long festival started with the traditional rath yatra of Lord Raghunath on October 24, Vijay Dashami, and there were nearly 300 deities in the yatra

Two people were injured when a major fire broke out at Dhalpur Ground, the venue for the week-long international Kullu Dussehra festival, around 2am on Saturday, sparking off panic as tents housing idols of deities and makeshift shops were reduced to ashes.

People at the venue of the international Dussehra festival in Kullu, where tents and makeshift shops, were destroyed in a fire early on Saturday. (Aqil Khan/HT)

Fire department personnel said 13 tents of deities, a vehicle and five shops were burnt to ashes.

Kullu deputy commissioner Ashutosh Garg said: “The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. Some shops of shoes and plastic have been completely or partially damaged, besides tents housing ‘raths’ (chariots) of deities, which were brought for the festival.”

Nearly 300 idols of gods and goddesses have been brought to Dhalpur Ground located in front of the court complex for paying obeisance to Lord Raghunath.

The vehicle that was burnt in the blaze that spread fast after a gas cylinder exploded. (Aqil Khan/HT)

Preliminary investigation showed a cooking gas cylinder exploded after which the fire spread quickly.

The ‘raths’ were moved out of the tents when the fire broke out. Temporary arrangements have been made for those affected by the fire, the officials said.

Fire department personnel said 13 tents of deities, a vehicle and five shops were burnt to ashes. (Aqil Khan/HT)

The Kullu Dussehra festival dates back to the 17th century when then ruler Jagat Singh installed an idol of Lord Raghunath on his throne. Following this, Lord Raghunath was declared as the ruling deity of the Kullu Valley.