Rain fails to dampen Dasehra’s festive spirit in Delhi

A sudden spell of rain on Thursday evening disrupted Dasehra celebrations in the national capital, leading to the cancellation of several high-profile events, including those where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi were scheduled to participate.

The highly anticipated ‘Ravana Dahan’ programme in East Delhi, where Prime Minister Modi was to attend as chief guest, was called off due to continuous showers. Similarly, the Shri Dharmik Leela Committee’s grand celebrations at Parade Ground near the Red Fort, where Sonia Gandhi was expected, also had to be cancelled. Despite the dampened plans, the spirit of Vijayadashami remained undeterred, with several celebrations across Delhi witnessing the traditional burning of Ravana effigies, symbolising the triumph of good over evil.

At the Red Fort, President Droupadi Murmu symbolically drew a bow at Madhavdas Park to mark Ravana Dahan. Emphasising the festival’s deeper meaning, she said, “This is a festival of the victory of good over evil, humility over arrogance, and love over hatred. When terrorism strikes against humanity, it becomes necessary to counter it. Operation Sindoor is a mark of victory against the Ravana of terrorism, and we salute our soldiers for this.”

At the famed Luv Kush Ramlila at Red Fort grounds, thousands of spectators cheered as actor Bobby Deol, symbolically playing Lord Ram, shot an arrow to slay Ravana. Actor Nikhil Dwivedi also joined him in the enactment. Arjun Kumar, president of the Luv Kush Ramlila Committee, said, “Bobby Deol is deeply spiritual. Completing 30 years in cinema, he chose to seek the blessings of Lord Ram by joining us for this historic occasion.”

Delhi BJP leaders also marked the occasion across the city. State BJP president Virendra Sachdeva, accompanied by Union MoS Harsh Malhotra and MLA Om Prakash Sharma, participated in the IP Extension Ramlila, setting ablaze the effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkaran and Meghnad. He also performed Tilak Aarti and extended greetings to residents. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta attended multiple Ramlila events, including at Haiderpur and Pitampura, where she stressed the need for society to awaken the “inner Ram” within each individual to overcome social evils. “In no era has arrogance ever prevailed; righteousness has always triumphed,” she said.

Several other leaders also joined the citywide celebrations. MP Kamaljeet Sehrawat participated in the Janakpuri Ramlila, MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri attended events in Chhatarpur and Kalkaji, and MP Bansuri Swaraj conducted Ravana Dahan in Greater Kailash-I. MP Manoj Tiwari joined festivities in Model Town, extending Durga Puja and Dussehra greetings.

Another grand spectacle was witnessed at the Sanatan Sanskaram Ramleela Mahotsav in Rohini’s Sector-23, where thousands gathered to see 100-foot effigies of Ravan, Kumbhkaran, and Meghnath go up in flames. The evening also featured a live enactment of the Ram-Ravan war, concluding with the coronation of Lord Ram, symbolizing the establishment of Ram Rajya.

Chairman of the Ramleela Committee and Delhi’s Social Welfare Minister, Ravinder Indraj Singh, said, “Ravan has been vanquished and Ram Rajya has been established. No matter how dense the darkness of falsehood and evil may be, by the grace of Lord Shri Ram, it eventually vanishes, and the sun of truth shines forth. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the grand construction of the Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya, and now, under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Delhi has witnessed its most magnificent Ramleela celebrations ever. These events symbolise our cultural renaissance and the enduring strength of faith.”

Former Union Minister Smriti Irani, who attended the Rohini celebrations, stressed the cultural significance of the event. “Ramleela is not merely a religious celebration but a powerful medium to pass on our culture, traditions, and values from generation to generation,” she said.

Even as rain played spoilsport for some, Delhiites thronged various Ramlilas across the city, ensuring that the annual festival’s enduring message — the victory of good over evil — was celebrated with enthusiasm.