At 181 ft, Tricity’s tallest Ravana effigy in Panchkula

A 180-ft effigy of Ravana, the tallest in the Tricity, will be set ablaze at Shalimar Ground in Sector 2 here to celebrate Dasehra on Thursday, symbolising the victory of good over evil. Besides, two equally imposing effigies of Meghnad and Kumbhkarana, each 100-ft tall, will also go up in flames.

The three effigies have been built with cloth worth over Rs 2.5 lakh and around 5,000 firecrackers — 3,000 in the Ravana’s effigy and 1,000 each in the other two. The Ravana’s effigy, which has a towering 20-ft leg and a 45-ft sword, has cost the organisers Rs 15 lakh. His ten heads give him a commanding presence that has already drawn curious onlookers to the venue.

A team of Muslim artisans from Uttar Pradesh, led by master craftsman Mohammad Usman, has built the effigies. Usman, who has over three decades of experience and has previously built effigies as tall as 210 feet, revealed that talks were already underway for an even taller 250-ft effigy next year, which could set a world record.

715 cops to be deployed

Stringent security measures will be put in place for the Dasehra celebrations on October 2. DCP Srishti Gupta on Wednesday reviewed the security arrangements at the Dasehra Ground in Sector 5. The DCP stated a total of 715 police personnel would be deployed across the city on Thursday to ensure safety during the festivities. Cops will be deployed at key points, including the Dasehra Ground, all entry and exit checkpoints, hotels, bus stands and other crowded locations.

Special security arrangements have also been made in Sectors 14, 15, 16 and 19, Raipur Rani, Chandimandir police station area, Pinjore and Kalka where Dasehra celebrations would be organised.

The organisers from Mata Mansa Devi Charitable Trust and the Adarsh Ramlila Committee stressed that erection of three effigies this year came in response to public demand for a more elaborate celebrations.

The Rs 50-lakh event will feature remote-controlled ignition and eco-friendly fireworks to ensure safety and reduce environmental impact.

In 2023, Panchkula had witnessed the world’s highest Ravana effigy at 171 feet. Last year, a planned 181-ft structure had to be reduced to 155 ft after high winds. With strengthened design and careful planning this year, the organisers are confident that the 180-ft effigy will tower safely.

Traffic advisory issued

The traffic police have issued an advisory to ensure smooth traffic management as Panchkula celebrates Dasehra tomorrow.

According to the advisory issued by ACP Traffic Surender Singh, motorists should avoid using the stretch from Major Sandeep Sankhla Chowk to Geeta Gopal Chowk. Vehicles travelling to and from Chandigarh should take the Tank Chowk route, while those heading towards Panchkula should use the Tawa Chowk road.

The slip road from Geeta Gopal Chowk to the Sector 8/9 light point will remain open only for pedestrians, and vehicular movement will not be allowed.

Similarly, the route from the Rajhans Cinema cut via Night Food Market to the Sector 6 hospital will remain closed to the public.

For visitors attending the Dasehra fair, parking facilities have been arranged in the markets of Sectors 8, 9 and 10, as well as at the designated protest site in Sector 5.