Delhi: Meeting held to chalk out plans for Ramlilas this festive season
To ensure that this year’s Ramlila celebrations in Delhi are held with dignity, efficiency and cultural richness, the Shri Ramlila Mahasangh — the central body of Ramlila committees — organised a crucial coordination meeting on Thursday at the Constitution Club. The meeting was attended by over 200 representatives of various Ramlila committees and senior officials from 18 departments, including the Delhi Government, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Delhi Police, Power Department and the Jal Board.
The meeting was chaired by Arjun Kumar, president of the Mahasangh, and moderated by Subhash Goel, Member of Parliament from Chandni Chowk. Praveen Khandelwal participated as a special guest, while renowned storyteller and saint Ajay Bhai Ji also addressed the gathering.
One of the key proposals that received unanimous approval was the establishment of a Ramayana Research Institute in Delhi to encourage academic exploration of Lord Rama’s life and teachings. Additionally, for the first time, the birth of Sita will be enacted along with Rama’s in this year’s Ramlila performances. Another special feature will be a tableau depicting the bravery of the Indian armed forces.
Calling Ramlila a “living heritage of Indian culture”, MP Khandelwal emphasised that administrative hurdles should not interfere with such a spiritually significant celebration and urged government departments to ensure that all facilities are in place well in advance. He also proposed the formation of a simplified SOP to streamline permissions and procedures for organising Ramlilas.
To facilitate smooth coordination, an 11-member committee has been formed under Arjun Kumar to liaise with various departments. A follow-up meeting will be held next month to review the progress.
The committee members raised several important concerns. These included the timely allotment of grounds by the DDA and the MCD at least 45 days before the event and waiver of ground fee, considering the religious nature of the festival. The organisers also demanded regular sanitation of the venues, including pesticide spraying and proper levelling of the grounds.
Another pressing issue was the unauthorised pre-booking of grounds by amusement ride operators allegedly in collusion with officials, which leads to extortion of money from the organisers. The Mahasangh demanded strict action against such practices.
The Ramlila committees also requested that electricity be provided either free or at domestic rates, and that the Delhi Jal Board supply free drinking water at the venues. They urged Delhi Police to issue early notifications for licensing and demanded the creation of a single-window system for obtaining all required No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) from various departments.
To manage huge crowds, the organisers also sought a special traffic plan and permission from MCD for display of banners and billboards for publicity.
Delhi hosts over 500 Ramlilas every year, with major events taking place in the Chandni Chowk parliamentary constituency. This year’s Ramlila festival will be celebrated from September 22 to October 3, with Dussehra falling on October 2.
Delhi’s connection to Ramlila dates back centuries. The festival, which dramatises the Ramayana epic, began in Sitaram Bazaar during the Mughal era and eventually moved to the iconic Ramlila Maidan. Despite attempts to suppress it, including during Emperor Aurangzeb’s reign, Ramlila was revived and flourished under rulers like Muhammad Shah Rangila, supported by local leaders such as Lala Sitaram.
Over the years, Ramlilas became vibrant cultural events featuring devotional performances, food stalls, and handicraft markets. Old Delhi, in particular, continues to be a hub for these celebrations, reflecting the enduring faith and tradition of Ram devotees across the city.
This year, organisers hope to elevate Delhi’s Ramlila festivities to new heights with better planning, official support, and deep cultural significance.
