Kullu (Himachal Pradesh), Oct 20 : In tune with an ancient Hindu tradition, priests in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu region on Tuesday commenced the Ashwamedha Yagna, the fire ritual as narrated in Ramayana and Mahabharata, amid chantings from Vedic scriptures.

Incidentally, it is for the first time that this ritual is being observed and performed in Kullu and it will continue till October 28.

“This fire ritual is being performed here to mark 360 years of arrival of Lord Raghunath (Lord Rama), as in the beginning, 360 main deities used to come to Kullu to pay homage to Lord Raghunath and took inspiration from him and hence we are performing this ritual to celebrate completion of 360 years,” said Maheshwar Singh, a priest.

According to the Hindu scriptures, Lord Rama performed Ashwamedha Yagna in the Treta Yuga (an era as per the Hindu scriptures) and the Pandavas in the Dwapara Yuga (the subsequent era).

The idol of Lord Ram along with his Guru Vashisht Rishi''s chariot and other symbol of more than 500 deities of Kullu valley have been brought to Dhalpur ground on this auspicious occasion.

As for the Ashwamedha Yagna at Kullu, it is the first time when all the deities of Kullu valley have come to Dhalpur ground as Ashwa was sent four month earlier covering almost every village, which was also the symbol of Lord Rama''s invitation to these deities. (ANI)