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Sultanpur
- Raghunathji Mandir
Nestled in the snow-bound Himalayas, and
comparatively less advanced, this Himachal
Pradesh abounds in many hoary Hindu shrines
luring devotees throughout the year. Among
several temples dedicated to numerous gods,
Raghunathji temple situated at Sultanpur in
Kullu Valley takes precedence over all the gods
put together, it appears. It has an exotic legend.
The sthalapurana narrates that Raja Jagat
Singh of Kullu Valley committed an
unpardonable crime against a Brahmin. To
expiate it, he brought Raghunathji idol from
Ayodhya and installed it here with special
prayer services. In addition, he soulfully
embraced Vaishnavism and in token of his
transformation, he donated his entire kingdom
to Raghunathji and riled it as the vice-regent
since then. An exemplary king! A unique
tradition!! The traditions and rituals
characteristic of their past and place, though
differ widely with other parts, particularly the
South India, the pure devotion and unwavering
steadfast dedication merits highest veneration.
It is exemplary. In addition to offering daily
worship, they conduct annual fair, like Dasara in
an exciting manner that draws lakhs- of people,
whose genuine bhakti and unadulterated faith
surface them to its fullest extent and wrings
veneration to the aliens visiting then. It is rather
to be seen and enjoyed than described in prose
or verse.
The venue for this gala festival is Raghunathji
mandir which lies in the heart of the town as the
presiding god is deemed the principal god and
chief deity of the entire valley. The -Dasara
festival lasts for a week when the entire town
pulsates with devotional activities and turns it
swargaloka; for, it is on this auspicious occasion
local gods of all denominations arrive here in
their ceremonial decorations carried on
shoulders in palanquin type of vahanas. The
gaily dressed people in their thousands
following the colorfully decorated gods from
several villages congregate at this
much-hallowed and widely popular Raghunathji
mandir with blowing of trumpets, beating of
drums and singing of bhajan songs. And lo!
some in their frenzy dance all their way singing
and clapping. At this sacrosanct venue -the
biggest draw of the whole state, a magnificently
beautified colourful tent is pitched up serving as
a make-shift mandir for setting up the
Raghunathji image. He sits in it resplendent and
holds dut-bar attended by numberless local
gods. After offering special ritualistic player
services, the statue is towed back with same
zeal followed by other gods to their respective
abodes. This occasion is the most unforgettable
one and people await it with unprecedented
fervor.
It lies in Kullu town of Himachala Pradesh,
accessible by four wheelers.
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