Kullu Dussehra revives 365-year-old tradition as revered deity returns

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Kui Kanda Nag, a revered deity from Tandi village in Kullu district, is drawing devotees to the International Kullu Dussehra festival in Dhalpur after returning to the celebrations last year, following a gap of 365 years.

The deity has arrived with traditional devotees and attendants from Tandi village in Nithar sub-tehsil of Nirmand subdivision. He is participating in traditional deity gatherings and observing festival rituals.

According to the deity’s gur (traditional oracle), Vinod Thakur, Kui Kanda Nag stopped attending the festival after an incident involving the royal palace. He said the king had invited the deity, but officials attempted to take him through the palace’s main entrance against his wishes, displeasing him.

Thakur said the deity was present in Kullu in 1660 but stopped attending the festival thereafter. He returned last year at the request of devotees. This year, his followers travelled around 180 km on foot to reach Kullu.

Kui Kanda Nag is considered the eldest son of Budhi Nagin Mata and is also known as Nau Nag or Nasesar. Devotees revere him for protection against drought, natural disasters and epidemics.

The deity is associated with a distinctive ritual at Sarayolsar Lake. While other deities traditionally circumambulate the lake clockwise, Kui Kanda Nag performs the ritual in the opposite direction.

His temples are located in Tandi, Sheugi, Latadagai, Ghorla, Ruwa, Gwal and Luhri. His main temple stands on a peak associated with the three forts of Himri, Sirigarh and Narayangarh. Several other deities are associated with him, while Mata Bhuvaneshwari and Mata Jaleshwari are also present in his ceremonial palanquin.

The deity’s priest, Dharampal Sharma, said Kui Kanda Nag was meeting other deities at Dhalpur, where traditional devotional songs were being performed. The songs accompanying the deity’s dance are dedicated to him and sung on special occasions.

Devotee Shiv Kumar Thakur said the deity was widely revered in the region, with followers believing he protected them from natural disasters and epidemics. Thousands of devotees visit during the festival to seek blessings and witness traditional deity gatherings.