SHIMLA-27.10.26-

Chief Minister presides over sixth cultural evening of International Kullu Dussehra Festival-2026

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu presided over the sixth cultural evening of the International Kullu Dussehra Festival-2026 as the chief guest at Lal Chand Prarthi Kala Kendra on Monday evening. He extended greetings and best wishes to the people of the state on the occasion.

Earlier, the Chief Minister formally inaugurated the traditional Lalri dance, a folk tradition of Kullu, at the Rath Ground and also participated in the performance.

The laser and drone show, along with the global dance performances, emerged as major attractions at the Rath Ground. Artists from Indonesia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, the United States, Thailand, Malaysia, Egypt, Sri Lanka and Nepal enthralled the audience with their performances during the global dance. A student troupe of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations also participated in the event.

Indian cultural troupes representing Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Rajasthan showcased their rich cultural heritage. Performances of Kerala’s traditional Kathakali and artists from Manipur further added to the diversity of the programme. A cultural fusion presentation also entertained the audience and added vibrancy to the evening.

On the concluding day of the cultural evenings, renowned Sufi singer Dr. Satinder Sartaaj captivated the audience with his soulful performance, leaving the gathering spellbound.

AICC Secretary Vidit Chaudhary, MLA and Chairman of the International Dussehra Celebration Committee Sunder Singh Thakur, MLA Suresh Kumar, State Women’s Commission Chairperson Vidya Negi, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Amit Sharma, Superintendent of Police Abhishek Sekar and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

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CM announces 5 percent increase in honorarium for Deities and 10 percent for Bajantris

· Announces an electricity sub-division for Bhuntar

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today presided over the closing ceremony of the International Kullu Dussehra 2026. On the occasion, he announced a 5 percent increase in the honorarium paid to the deities and a 10 percent increase in the honorarium for Bajantris. He also announced an honorarium of Rs.1,100 for the chief Gur of each deity.

The Chief Minister announced Rs. 5 crore for connecting the Left Bank area of Kullu district. He also announced an additional Rs. 5 crore for the construction of the Manikaran Road, Rs. 22 crore for the construction of a sewerage system in Bhuntar, and the opening of an electricity sub-division in Bhuntar. An amount of Rs. 50 lakh was also announced for the Vidyut Command–Bara road. He further announced an honorarium of Rs. 35,000 for each participating Mahila Mandal (women's group) at the Dussehra festival. He also approved Rs. one crore for the construction of a science block at Bajoura School.

The Chief Minister said that the state government would strengthen Kullu District Hospital to ensure better healthcare services for the people of the district. He assured that specialist doctors, nurses and paramedical staff would be appointed at the hospital. He said that the hospital would be equipped with world-class medical technology and that the state government would provide sufficient funds for this purpose.

Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the present government was committed to strengthening the rural economy. As part of these efforts, the minimum support price for ginger would soon be increased to Rs. 40 per kilogram to improve the income of rural residents.

The Chief Minister said that the previous BJP government had weakened the education and healthcare sectors whereas the present state government was working to strengthen infrastructure in both sectors.

He said that Himachal was the land of deities and the Kullu Dussehra was now being organized truly at international level. The government would continue to work towards making the festival better every year. He said that the state government's commitment to administrative reforms, under the slogan of ‘Vyavastha Parivartan’, was also reflected in the organisation of Kullu Dussehra.

Recalling the 2023 disaster, the Chief Minister said that Kullu district had suffered the worst damage. He said that he and his Cabinet colleagues had worked on the ground day and night to provide relief to affected people. He praised the people of Kullu for organising community kitchens at various places and said that people from across India and abroad would always remember their spirit of service. He added that the government had amended rules and regulations to protect the interests of disaster-affected families. The financial assistance for house construction had been increased from Rs. 1.5 lakh to Rs. 8 lakh to ensure better rehabilitation of affected families.

Sh. Sukhu said that the BJP was spreading misleading information about Himachal Pradesh's economy, while the state government was working to make the state self-reliant. He said that the government was taking steps to strengthen the rural economy and that several schemes would soon be implemented. He said that the support and cooperation of all sections of society were necessary to make Himachal Pradesh self-reliant.

The Chief Minister also flagged off the Kullu Carnival, which saw the participation of more than 600 women and artists.

MLA Sunder Singh Thakur thanked the Chief Minister for the announcements. He also expressed his gratitude to government officers, employees, public representatives and people from all sections of society for their valuable contribution towards the successful organization of the Kullu Dussehra Festival.

He said that the festival had been a success because of everyone's collective efforts. He said that the Chief Minister had instructed officials to ensure that no arrangements were lacking and everyone had extended full cooperation.

He said that the participation of international cultural groups had enhances the festival’s stature and helped it gain wider recognition through out of the world. The state government was also making efforts to send Himachal’s cultural groups overseas so that people in other countries could learn about the state's rich cultural heritage.

He said that religious traditions held the highest place in state and that Kullu Dussehra was celebrated with the blessings of the deities. A record number of deities and people had participated in this year's festival.

MLA Bhuwneshwar Gaur welcomed the Chief Minister to Kullu district. He said that the Chief Minister was working with innovative approach and taking all sections of society along with him. He said that the state government was working for the welfare of all sections of society, with special attention being given to women and orphaned children.

In the cultural programme, Bhutti Vivraj Cultural Group received first prize, Sutradhar Kala Sangam secured second place and Yuva Kala Manch won third prize.

MLA Suresh Kumar, Chairperson State Commission for Women Vidya Negi, Chairman Milk Federation Buddhi Singh, Chairman APMC Ram Singh Mian, former MLA Kishori Lal, District President Ses Ram Azad, Secretary Health Ashish Singhmar, Divisional Commissioner R.K. Purthi, Deputy Commissioner Amit Sharma, Superintendent of Police Abhishek S. and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

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Chief Minister pays obeisance at Raghunath Temple

On the auspicious occasion of the International Kullu Dussehra Festival, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu paid obeisance at Raghunath Temple and prayed for the happiness, prosperity and peace of the people of Himachal Pradesh.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister said that Kullu Dussehra was not merely a festival but a living symbol of the state's rich 'Dev Sanskriti' and centuries-old heritage.

He said that the state government was committed to the preservation and promotion of the state's unique folk culture, divine traditions and religious sites.

MLA Sunder Singh Thakur and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.