Unique Tradition in Delhi: Effigy of Ravan and Cockroach Burned at Dussehra Celebration
In a unique Dussehra celebration, Delhis Keshav Ramleela Committee burned effigies of Ravan and a giant cockroach, drawing attention and curiosity.
New Delhi, October 20 (Daily Kiran) : During the Dussehra festivities in New Delhi’s Netaji Subhash Place, the Keshav Ramleela Committee made headlines by burning not only an effigy of Ravan but also a giant cockroach. This unusual ritual attracted considerable attention during the celebrations.
Across the country, traditional Dussehra events featured the burning of large effigies of Ravan, Kumbhkaran, and Meghnath. In a distinctive twist, a 30-foot tall cockroach effigy was set ablaze in Pitampura, Delhi. Preparations for Dussehra celebrations were underway in various states, including Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, and Jharkhand.
In Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, the Rajendra Niwas Ramleela Committee prepared a 32-foot tall effigy of Ravan, scheduled for burning at 10 PM. The committee’s patron, Prabhakar Mishra, noted that this year’s effigy was crafted by Muslim artisans.
In Lucknow, a towering 75-foot effigy of Ravan was constructed using mechanical devices. Organizers stated that the effigy aimed to convey messages against alleged anti-national and anti-Hindu elements, as well as intellectual Naxalism.
In Dehradun, Uttarakhand, Ravan Dahan took place at Hindu National Inter College, with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expected to attend. Meanwhile, in Kashipur, effigies of Ravan and Kumbhkaran, standing at 55 feet and 50 feet respectively, were slated for burning at 7:30 PM, followed by a fireworks display.
The Dussehra celebrations in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, were also noteworthy this year. For the first time, a 50-foot tall effigy of Ravan was to be burned as part of the historical Dussehra event, alongside a 45-foot Kumbhkaran and a 35-foot Meghnath.
In Madhya Pradesh’s Rajgarh district, the village of Bhatkhedi (Ravan Wali) observes a different tradition. Here, villagers worship the effigies of Ravan and Kumbhkaran instead of burning them. They believe that Ravan fulfills their wishes, and devotees offer prayers and offerings once their desires are granted. Before Dussehra, the effigies are painted and decorated, and on the festival day, artists portraying Ram and Lakshman touch the effigies with spears while villagers express their wishes for prosperity.
In Ranchi, Jharkhand, the Punjabi Hindu community organized a traditional Ravan Dahan at Morhabadi Maidan, with Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar expected to attend. Effigies of Ravan, Kumbhkaran, and Meghnath were prepared at heights of 70 feet, 65 feet, and 60 feet, respectively. The event also featured Ramleela, cultural programs, and fireworks as major attractions.
