Almora.
Preparations for the Dussehra festival in Almora have begun with great enthusiasm. A crucial meeting of the Dussehra Mahotsav Committee was held in the courtyard of the Nanda Devi Temple, where several important decisions were taken unanimously. During the meeting, it was noted that for the past two years the festival had been losing its charm and grandeur. Therefore, the committee resolved to restore Dussehra to its historic glory this year.
The committee unanimously decided that the festival will be celebrated on a grand scale this year, with the burning of the effigies of Ravana and his family at the Almora Stadium. In addition, a series of cultural programs will be organized for the townspeople and visitors, showcasing the region’s cultural heritage. Members stated that Dussehra is not only a religious festival but also a symbol of social and cultural unity.
The meeting was chaired by Ajit Karki. Several dignitaries and local residents were present, including Deep Lal Sah, Dharmendra Bisht, Vaibhav Pandey, Kishan Lal, Harish Kanwal, Hitesh Negi, Paritosh Joshi, Deep Singh Dangi, Jagdish Verma, Kapil Malhotra, Deep Joshi, Tara Chand Joshi, Anand Bagdwal, Manoj Sanwal, Krishna Bahadur, Councilor Kuldeep Mer, Councilor Arjun Singh Bist Cheema, Bhagat, Rajendra Tiwari, Sharad Agarwal, Dinesh Mathpal, Vineet Bisht, Lalit Latwal, Manoj Joshi, Ashok Pandey, Hani Verma, Salman Ansari, Sushil Sah, Kanchi Verma and many others.
The committee was also restructured during the meeting. Ajit Karki was unanimously re-elected as President, with Dharmendra Bisht appointed as Chief Coordinator. Manoj Joshi was chosen as Cultural Coordinator, Vaibhav Pandey as Secretary, and Rajendra Tiwari as Treasurer. Manoj Sanwal, Deep Singh Dangi, and Lalit Latwal were named Chief Advisors, while Kapil Malhotra and Hani Verma were designated as Media Coordinators. It was further decided that the detailed executive committee will be formed in the next meeting.
Members emphasized that the Dussehra festival is an integral part of Almora’s cultural identity and must be celebrated with the same dignity and grandeur for which it is known across the country. The committee appealed to the townspeople to actively participate in the festival so that Almora’s Dussehra regains its historic glory and shines with renewed vibrancy.
Committee President Ajit Karki said— “The Dussehra festival is not just a celebration but a message of the victory of good over evil. With the cooperation and enthusiasm of the people of Almora, this year’s festival will be remembered as historic.”
