Buzz missing from Kullu Dasehra

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, October 26

The symbolic celebrations of International Kullu Dasehra has proved to be a big blow to the tourism industry of Kullu-Manali. The week-long celebrations started yesterday amid tight Covid restrictions. As a result, a few people were seen at Dhalpur ground to witness the event.

Every year during the festival, the room occupancy in Kullu-Manali hotels increases up to 90 per cent. But this year, the situation is adverse.

Despite the start of Kullu Dasehra, the town is wearing a deserted look these days, which disappointed the hoteliers.

Arun Sharma, owner of Apple Valley Resort in Kullu told The Tribune: “The low-key celebrations have hit the tourism industry, which has been suffering since March because of Covid. “It is the failure of the state government, which could not control Covid in time. As a result, everybody is suffering due to the poor handling by the government. Hoteliers are the worst sufferers.”

Budhi Prakash Thakur, a hotelier in Manali, said despite government guidelines that 50 per cent gathering is allowed in any event, the state government had scaled down Kullu Dasehra celebrations. However, it could be organised in a big way by adopting proper distancing but the government did not make any efforts in this direction.”

Hoteliers said if mass gathering could be done for political rallies, why the state government could not manage such festivals in a grand way.

Hoteliers upset

Every year during the festival, the room occupancy in Kullu-Manali hotels increases up to 90 per cent. But this year, the situation is adverse. The town is wearing a deserted look these days, which disappointed the hoteliers.