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Why are temple gods carried in palanquins during Kullu Dussehra?

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Steep, green slopes with dense trees rise on both sides of a narrow valley in Kullu Valley, Himachal Pradesh, India, with mist and clouds partially obscuring the peaks. — Himachal Pradesh The valley of the gods, Kullu Valley, central Himachal Pradesh, India.

During the Kullu Dussehra festival in Himachal Pradesh, temple gods are carried in palanquins as part of a grand procession to honor the presiding deity, Lord Raghunath (a regional form of Rama).12

The use of palanquins and chariots in such rituals serves several significant purposes:

Public Access and Devotion: Carrying deities outside their temples allows worshippers to receive darshan (auspicious viewing). This is particularly meaningful for devotees who may be restricted from entering the temple sanctuary.3
Symbolic Sovereignty: The procession of a deity mirrors the movement of a king surveying his kingdom, reinforcing the belief that the deity’s power extends well beyond the physical boundaries of the temple.3
Communal Celebration: These processions facilitate a collective religious experience, bringing together various local deities and their followers in a shared act of reverence.312

While many parts of India celebrate Dussehra by burning effigies of Ravana, the Kullu valley tradition emphasizes this gathering of regional gods to pay homage to Lord Raghunath.2