Dussehra: Year’s grandest festivities & Ravana Dahan is happening at these places

It’s almost after two years that the world is back on its feet after being hit by the deadly COVID-19 pandemic. For the past two years, no festivals could be celebrated. Thankfully, it’s all getting back to normal now.

This year, October is filled with colours! It’s once again that time of the year when India gets drenched in the festivities of Navratri, Dussehra and Ram Leela. Notably, Ram Leela is among the most awaited events of the year. The day marks the victory of Lord Rama over demon-king Ravana and life-size effigies of Ravana, Meghnath and Kumbhakarana are burned in an enactment of the Ramayana war.

Ayodhya, the birthplace of Ram, celebrates Dussehra like no other place in the world! The historic city in Uttar Pradesh is known for its Ravan Dahan and this year is going to be more special as famous regional actors and politicians will be a part of the Ram Leela performance. Famous Bhojpuri actors including Ravi Kishan (playing Kewat), Manoj Tiwari (Parshuram) and Nirahua (Laksham) will be performing.

Chattisgarh's Dussehra is one of the most unique celebrations in the country. In state's Sarangarh, a unique tradition of gaddh vicchedan is practised from the last 100 years. It was started by the royal family here. Bastar also sees very unique celebrations that are not related to the Ramayana, and celebrate Goddess Danteshwari Devi instead.

This year in Ranchi, Ravan Dahan is going to be extra special because of two reasons, number one being that all the effigies are going to be waterproof (because of the incessant rains) and number two, these effigies are made by 17 artisans, and a majority of them are Muslims. Every year, for the past 25 years, Ranchi sees this tradition of Muslim artisans working on Dussehra effigies, promoting unity and solidarity.

Kasturchand Park in Nagpur is all set to burn a 55 ft eggify of Ravana, 55 ft of Kumbhakarana and 45 ft of Meghnath. After a gap of two years, the KP Park will be celebrating Ravan Dahan, which is one of the most-awaited events in Nagpur.

Parade Ground in Dehradun celebrates Ravan Dahan every year on a mega level! This huge ground is also a venue for many other popular events organised in the city. Can’t be missed!

Ram Leela at Red Fort Lawns is absolutely grand and beautiful! A colourful fair is organised here and a little amusement park for kids is also set up. Expect to see some Bollywood or Indian TV celebrities here during the festivities here at Lal Qila Maidan.

For those who don’t know, Bastar celebrates Dussehra for 75 days, the longest in India! Situated in Chhattisgarh, Bastar is noted for its natural wonders, tribes and Dussehra celebrations. All the tribes in the region come together to make this a successful event.

Bastar's Dussehra is the longest in the world, and is unique in its tradition. Rather than celebrating the saga of Ramayana, Bastar sees prayers for the local deity, Goddess Danteshwari Devi. A chariot is pulled through the streets by hundreds of people. This year's chariot is made over 20 days, and is a major attraction here.

Believed to be the oldest in the world, Varanasi Dussehra is over 475-years-old! This fact in itself attracts people from across the world. It’s quite unbelievable but Varanasi Dussehra also finds its mention in Ramcharitmanas, a poem written by saint Tulsidas. Once in a life-time experience!

Delhi’s Ram Leela Maidan is quite famous for organising the best Ram Leela performance in India! It is also among the oldest venues in the city, where Ram Leela or Ravana Dahan takes place on such a grand level. The event is attended by thousands of people. It gets all goosebumpy when the crowd cheers in unison, Jai Shri Ram. A performance to remember!

In 2019 (a year before COVID-19 pandemic), Chandigarh’s Parade Ground gained worldwide attention for burning the tallest effigy (221 ft) of Ravana in the world! Besides, the place is known for the grandest Ravan Dahan celebrations in India.