Dhalpur Maidan

Dhalpur Maidan is a prominent open ground located in Dhalpur, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, situated at an altitude of approximately 4,000 feet in the Kullu Valley. It is best known as the venue for the International Kullu Dussehra festival, a week-long cultural and religious event celebrated annually in October. The ground serves as a congregation point for hundreds of local deities and attracts thousands of visitors. Outside the festival season, it functions as a public recreational space and sports ground.

Visitors to Dhalpur Maidan can expect a large open expanse surrounded by Himalayan landscapes and the Beas River. During the annual Kullu Dussehra festival in October, the ground transforms into a vibrant cultural venue featuring processions of deities on palanquins, traditional Nati dance performances, folk music, and handicraft stalls. At other times of the year, it is a quieter public space used for local sports, leisure walks, and community gatherings with views of the surrounding mountains.

The ground's prominence is linked to the Kullu Dussehra tradition established in the 17th century when King Jagat Singh installed an idol of Lord Raghunath on his throne as penance, declaring Raghunath the ruling deity of the valley. The festival and the use of Dhalpur Maidan as its venue have continued since that period.

Dhalpur Maidan is the central venue for the International Kullu Dussehra, a state-recognized international festival representing the unique deity-worship culture of the Kullu Valley. It serves as the gathering place where hundreds of village gods and goddesses assemble annually, making it a vital site for preserving regional folklore, traditional music, dance forms like Nati, and indigenous rituals.