Amritsar gears up for Dasehra festivities across seven venues

With just 24 hours left for the much-awaited Dasehra festivities, the local administration has this year granted permission to only seven organisations to host effigy-burning ceremonies in the city. Despite this, the city is abuzz with excitement as the final touches are being given to the grand celebrations.

Once celebrated in almost every prominent locality of the city, the Dasehra festivities were drastically scaled down after the tragic 2018 train tragedy that claimed several lives. Since then, stringent norms and safety protocols are put in place, confining the celebrations to select grounds under administrative supervision.

Despite the restrictions, the festive spirit remains undiminished. Organisers are busy erecting towering effigies of Ravana, Meghnad and Kumbhkaran, while Ram Leela troupes rehearse their final acts.

For over eight decades, the Durgiana Committee in association with the Dasehra Committee has been at the forefront of organizing the grand effigy-burning festivities at the historic Dasehra Ground, located on the backside of Durgiana temple. The ground falls under the Army’s jurisdiction. The celebrations here have become synonymous with tradition, devotion and a spectacular display of faith.

Every year, thousands of devotees throng the ground to witness the burning of the towering effigies of Ravan, Meghnad and Kumbhkaran. Adding to the fervour, children and youth dressed as Langoors and members of the Bajrangi Sena enliven the atmosphere by shooting symbolic arrows at the effigy of the demon king, Ravan.

This year, the Durgiana temple management has erected a 100-foot-high effigy of Ravan. “Owing to space constraints and safety concerns, we did not instal the effigies of Kumbhkaran and Meghnad this time,” a representative of the management said, adding that while the Dasehra Committee had been solely organizing the event for more than 80 years, in recent years it has collaborated with the Durgiana Committee to shoulder the responsibility together.

Lakshmi Kanta Chawla, president of the Durgiana Temple Management Committee, said, “Around 40 religious processions converge on the Dussehra Ground to mark the occasion. Alongside these, devotees dressed as Bajrangi Sena and Langoors add a unique traditional touch to the celebrations.”

Another effigy programme which attracts a huge crowd is organized by Panch Rattan Sri Krishana Mandir at Naraingarh in Chheharta area.

Tarsem Lal, president of the management, proudly recalls that their committee has been organising the iconic Dasehra programme at the Chheharta grain market for the past six decades.

“We have been holding the effigy-burning event since 1955,” he said, adding that this year too, despite delays in the granting of NoC, the preparations are in full swing. “We received the permission only today, though we applied a month ago. Still, our teams are working overnight to ensure the timely installation of the effigies,” he said.

The grand spectacle here will feature a towering 65-foot effigy of demon king Ravan, flanked by 55-foot figures of his brothers Kumbhkaran and son Meghnad. Tarsem Lal said the traditional religious procession from nearby areas, with various organisations staging episodes from the Ram Lila, would culminate at the ground before the symbolic burning of evil.

Similarly, Arun Kumar Salwan, director of the Rama Krishna Dramatic Club, said their committee has carried forward this tradition for over three decades.

“Earlier, we organised the programme in the open ground near the Verka milk plant. For the last five years, we have been holding it at Guru Nanak Stadium,” he said. The club, known for its vibrant Ram Lila performances, once staged the drama near the Verka railway tracks. “But after the train tragedy near Jora Phatak, we were forced to discontinue that venue due to stringent safety norms,” he explained.

Another grand celebration takes place at the traditional Dasehra ground near Bhadarkali Temple at Khazana Gate. Organiser Gurminder Singh said their festivities, which have continued for nearly three decades, remain a centre of devotion and community gathering. “Every year, hundreds of devotees throng the ground to witness the burning of Ravan’s effigy, symbolising the eternal triumph of good over evil,” he said.

The permission was also granted to Dusshera ground Peer Baba Tahli Sahib on the Majitha road bypass, Dusshera ground, Ram Nagar Colony, Islamabad and 88 foot road Baba Jeevan Singh Marg.

Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said elaborate arrangements would be in place to thwart any untoward incident during these programmes.