Devo athithi bhava-athithi devo bhava: an event where God come in as guest and guest comes as God

Abstract

“Devo Athithi Bhava, Athithi Devo Bhava” is an exploration of a unique cultural phenomenon which leads to social, political and economical context of the place. It focuses on the festival “Dusshera in Kullu” where the Gods come as guests. The tourists i.e. guests who visit the place are also treated like God to the place. Project is basically to promote ‘Tourism in Kullu’ which is further exploration of not only the ‘unique way of celebrating this festival but also communicates the “Impact of culture tourism” on and by the people of Kullu in Himachal Pradesh. It invites the user to explore not only the culture and belief of the festival in the context of its celebration but also to assist the viewer to know about the local people and the place, where tourism potential provides the State, the tourist as well as the local people benefit, by organizing such culturally accepted festivals and events. Tourists are derived of opportunities to enjoy the rural, remote and the most scenic parts of the state due to lack of awareness. Thus, project explores them to find other places in the district those have equal cultural tourism potential. It generates critical awareness among the tourist who are visiting the place to get authentic information about the event. It also gives information to the viewer about the culture diversity in India and gives knowledge of the tradition of celebrating dusshera festival in various parts of the country in different ways with independent history related to it.