Delhi’s Dussehra celebrations on Tuesday will combine traditional Ravana Dahan with elaborate mechanical effects and public messages on pollution, traffic congestion and other contemporary social problems at several Ramlila grounds across the capital.
At Luv Kush Ramlila, organisers will stage the burning of a 110-foot Ravana, alongside a 100-foot Kumbhakarna and a 90-foot Meghnad. The programme will include rolling eyes, a rotating sword, glowing garlands, recorded cries and fire effects. Organisers said the arrow striking Ravana’s navel will trigger an effect showing nectar flowing out before the effigy is consumed.
Committee president Arjun Kumar said Ravana’s eyes would appear to emit fire, while 11 garlands in different colours would light up sequentially. Before the burning, a recorded message in Ravana’s voice will address pollution and traffic congestion, linking the two issues to ill health, wasted fuel and economic losses. The message will urge spectators to reduce pollution and congestion before Ravana calls out “Hey Ram, hey Ram”.
The events will be held at multiple venues, creating large public gatherings across Delhi on Vijayadashami. Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan is expected to attend the Luv Kush Ramlila event. At the Nav Shri Dharmik Leela Committee, blinking eyes and flowing tears will form part of the 110-foot Ravana’s final sequence. The effigy will be burnt with a 100-foot Kumbhakarna and a 105-foot Meghnad, accompanied by green crackers, organisers said. Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are also expected to attend that venue.
At the Shree Dharmic Leela Committee, the visual focus will be on Ravana’s neck and garland. Secretary Pradeep Sharan said sections of the garland would appear as separate beads as the paper burns away after the arrow strikes the navel.
In IP Extension, organisers said Prime Minister Narendra Modi would perform the dahan, with preparations being conducted under the directions of the Prime Minister’s protocol officers. The Ravana effigy there will have a moving face and flames emerging from its eyes. For about 30 years, the committee has also burnt a fourth effigy representing a contemporary social problem. This year, it will symbolise counterfeit medicines and inflated maximum retail prices, committee president Suresh Bindal said.
Other celebrations are planned in Janakpuri and Dwarka. Dharmik Evam Samajik Mahasangh will hold Vijayadashami celebrations at Dussehra Ground in B Block, while Om Sai Club at Sai Baba Mandir in A5A will organise a light-and-sound show, cultural performances and “Ramlila-The Eternal Saga” by Aasma Dance Company. Dwarka Shri Ramlila Society’s 15th Ramlila in Sector 10 will feature a 221-foot Ravana effigy.
The Dwarka organisers said the purpose of Ravana Dahan was not only to burn an effigy but also to take a pledge against arrogance, injustice and evil. The listed programmes will conclude with the scheduled effigy burnings and associated cultural performances at the respective venues.
