ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Kullu Dussehra

Hello there! Have you ever heard of Kullu Dussehra? It's a very special festival that is celebrated in a place called Kullu in India. Let me explain to you what it's all about.

Firstly, Dussehra is a festival that is celebrated all over India. It's a very important festival because it marks the victory of good over evil. People celebrate this festival by lighting lamps and setting off fireworks. They also make special sweets and dishes to share with everyone.

Now, Kullu Dussehra is a bit different from other Dussehra celebrations. In Kullu, the festival is celebrated for a whole week! Yes, you heard that right - seven whole days of festivities! People come from all over the world to be a part of this celebration.

During Kullu Dussehra, there's a big parade where people dress up in colourful traditional clothes and play music. There are also big floats with different themes - like the story of Ramayana, which is a famous Indian epic. The parade goes through the streets of Kullu and people watch and cheer from the sidelines.

But that's not all! There's also a special fair that happens during Kullu Dussehra. The fair has lots of stalls where you can buy clothes, food, toys and even special souvenirs. There are also rides like Ferris wheels and rollercoasters. Everyone loves going to the fair during Kullu Dussehra!

Another important aspect of Kullu Dussehra is the role of the gods. People believe that during the festival, the gods come down from heaven to visit Kullu. There's a special ceremony where the gods are brought to a temple and everyone prays and sings songs.

Finally, on the last day of the festival, there's a big bonfire. People throw in their old possessions as a symbol of letting go of the past and starting anew. Once the bonfire is over, the festival ends.

So that's Kullu Dussehra - a week-long celebration filled with parades, fairs, prayers and bonfires. It's a very special festival in India that brings people together to celebrate good over evil.