Dussehra Ravan Dahan (Burning Of Ravan Effigy) in Rishikesh/ Haridwar / Dehradun

Dussehra, marks the conclusion of the nine-day festival of Navratri honoring all incarnations of Goddess Durga. It is also known as the Day of Victory, or Vijayadashami. According to Hindu mythology, Dussehra is celebrated as the battle win of Lord Ram over his nemesis Raavan / Ravana, the demon king of Lanka (present day Sri Lanka) who kidnapped Sita, Lord Ram’s wife triggering off the events of the Hindu epic Ramayana. Symbolically, this win has come to mean the win of good over evil and light over darkness and is celebrated by “Raavan Dahan” or burning effigies of Raavan who’s characterised by his 10 heads. Typically during a Raavan Dahan setup, the effigy of Raavan is flanked by those of his brothers Meghnad and Kumbhkaran who too were slain at the hands of Lord Ram’s brother Laxman during the battle in Ramayan. Scenes from the final battle scene are enacted by actors playing Ram, Laxman, Hanuman and the rest of the “Vaanar sena”. The finale has the actor playing Lord Ram hitting the actor playing Ravan with a fatal arrow followed by the Ravan effigy going up in flames!

Dussehra 2023 is on Tuesday, October 24th and many cities and town all over North India are all set to celebrate with Raavan Dahan ceremonies. For the uninitiated, the effigies of Raavan range from 20 to even 200 feet tall and are usually created with waste wood and straw and their faces are painted to provide an amusing effect. After the crowds gather and sunset kicks in, Ramlila is enacted, and soon after the effigies start going up in flames, triggering off fireworks, ending with the grand finale of Raavan’s 10 heads disappearing in thin air, providing an exciting spectacle to children and adults alike!

If you happen to be  in North India this year, look out for venues near you to catch this once-in-a-year spectacle in the tapestry of India’s unique cultural and religious diversity.

Here’s some of the places to catch Raavan Dahan in Haridwar and Rishikesh:

Rishikesh 

1) Triveni Ghat
2) IDPL Ground

Haridwar :

1) BHEL grounds, Haridwar
2) Ramlila Grounds, Kankhal (Opp PM Motors)

Dehradun

This year, other than many other regular ones, there’ll be a massive 130 feet high Raavan at the Parade Grounds in Dehradun!

Timings – 5pm onwards

More venues will be updated as they come to be known.

Note: Please arrive early to secure a good viewing spot. Expect crowds.