Ranchi plans to celebrate Dussehra by organising Raven Dahan on October 5 on a grand scale after a two-year gap. But IMD-Ranchi has predicted rains during the period, which can dampen the spirit of revellers. As per the weather report by IMD, light to moderate rain is expected throughout the week in Ranchi along with lightning. Keeping this in mind, the Punjabi Hindu Biradari in Ranchi has made its effigies waterproof.
The Punjabi Hindu Biradari has erected effigies on about 900 sq ft area at a cost of Rs 5 lakh. The height of the effigies of Ravana is 70 feet, Kumbhakaran 65ft, and Meghnath 60ft. The Ravan dahan will be held in the evening at around 5.30 PM.
To make the structure waterproof, the organisers have covered the wooden structures by semi-hard waterproof plastic that blends with the skin colour of the effigies.
In 2019, in order to prevent heavy downpour to play spoilsport on the occasion of Dussehraa, an organising committee in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh had also installed a waterproof Ravana effigy.
Arun Chawla, the head of one of the Dussehra committees ‘Punjabi Hindu Biradri’ said that they are well prepared for the rain this time and have come up with waterproof Ravana effigy.
Chawla said that all the preparations regarding Dussehra have been completed and the effigy is also ready. He added that only the shifting of the effigy to Morabadi ground needs to be done.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren will also be taking part in the Dussehra programme on Wednesday.
Ravan Dahan took place for the first time in 1952 at Morabadi Maidan in Ranchi. In 1952 Late Amir Chand Fatija started it by making a 10-feet effigy. Since then, Ravan Dahan has been done continuously in Morabadi ground. It was not organized only in the last two years due to Covid infection.
Silli’ famous Paika dance, Jamshedpur’s Chhau dance and Shivakashi Tamil Nadu’s fireworks will be the main attractions in this time’s Ravana Dahan program. Competitions of Paika, Chhau and Fireworks will be organized. The organizing committee will also honor the best performers.
After two years, again this time Dussehra will be celebrated in the historic Morhabadi ground of Ranchi. Its preparation is in full swing. Like every year, this time also the Punjabi-Hindu fraternity is preparing for Ravana Dahan. For the last 25 years, only Muslim artisans from Gaya have been making effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakaran and Meghnath.