Tallest Ravan Effigy in India Built in Delhi’s Dwarka for Dussehra
In preparation for the Dussehra festival, the Sri Ram Lila society in Delhi has constructed what they claim to be the tallest Ravan effigy in India, standing at 211 feet in Dwarka’s Sector 10. The society has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the event, which will take place on October 12, 2024.
Effigy and Celebrations
Rajesh Gehlot, Chairman of the organizing committee, explained that the effigy symbolizes the increasing sins in society, which will be symbolically burned during the festival. The theme for this year’s Ramlila is inspired by the old Ram Mandir temple in Ayodhya, with entry gates styled like South Indian ‘Gopuram’ temples.
Artist Performances and Security
Over 400 artists from Delhi NCR were auditioned, with selected performers undergoing three months of practice. The event is secured by more than 50 Delhi Police personnel, 200 volunteers, and 100+ civil officers, with daily safety reports provided to the DCP.
Doubts Revealed
Ravan Effigy -: An effigy is a large model or dummy of a person. Ravan is a character from the Indian epic Ramayana, known for being a demon king. During Dussehra, people make and burn Ravan effigies to symbolize the victory of good over evil.
Dussehra -: Dussehra is a Hindu festival celebrated in India, marking the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravan. It signifies the triumph of good over evil and is celebrated with great enthusiasm, including the burning of Ravan effigies.
Sri Ram Lila society -: Sri Ram Lila society is a group that organizes plays and events based on the life of Lord Rama, especially during the Dussehra festival. They perform Ram Lila, which is a dramatic reenactment of the Ramayana.
Ram Mandir -: Ram Mandir refers to a temple dedicated to Lord Rama, a major deity in Hinduism. The theme around the old Ram Mandir temple in the event signifies the cultural and religious importance of Lord Rama in the festival.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi -: Narendra Modi is the current Prime Minister of India. He is a prominent political leader and has been invited to attend the Dussehra ceremony in Dwarka, Delhi.
Dwarka -: Dwarka is a locality in Delhi, the capital city of India. It is known for its residential areas and is the place where the tallest Ravan effigy is being built for Dussehra.
Societal sins -: Societal sins refer to the wrongdoings or negative behaviors present in society, like dishonesty or greed. Burning the Ravan effigy during Dussehra symbolizes the destruction of these negative traits.