KULU-MANALI

The legends with which the temples, sacred sites, religious fairs, folk-stories, songs and arts of this region are associated are overwhelming and figure in many ancient texts. The two important deities in the Hindu Pantheon regarded most important in Himachal Pradesh are Lord Siva and his consort Durga, or Parvati or Uma. Most of the temples in Kangra and Kulu are dedicated to them.

We have emblems of 'Durga in her different aspects, the sublime but serious- looking deity that has thrust her deadly weapon into the Mahishasur, the great demon in the shape of a fierce buffalo and striking him down typifying the victory of virtue over sin and also the sublime, delicate and homely aspect of Uma, the ideal housewife devoted to the husband and the troubles of her children-the man- kind.

During Dussehra festival there is much religious fervor and colorful worship of Durga throughout Himachal. But essentially the worship of Durga in this area is somewhat different from the way of Durga worship in northern India. The typical example is the famous Dussehra festival at Kulu, which attracts thousands of visitors. Peculiarly enough the Kulu Dussehra is not centered on the worship of Durga although she is ultimately very much in the background.

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