Effigies of Ravana, Meghnath and Kumbhkaran set ablaze; people from different communities attend celebrations
Neelofar Shakeel
Srinagar|Oct, 20: Hundreds of people gathered at the JKCA Practice Ground in Church Lane on Tuesday evening to witness the traditional burning of effigies of Ravana, Meghnath and Kumbhkaran, marking Dussehra celebrations in Srinagar.
Organised by the Kashmiri Pandit Sangharsh Samiti in association with the Punit Balan Group, the event brought together people from different religious and social backgrounds, including Kashmiri Pandits, Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs.
The three effigies were set ablaze amid fireworks as spectators watched the annual ritual, popularly known as RavanDahan, which symbolises the victory of good over evil.
The celebration was also presented as an occasion to highlight Kashmir’s traditions of communal harmony and coexistence, with participants from different communities gathering to observe the festival.
Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, commemorates the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana and is marked across India through religious ceremonies, cultural programmes and the burning of Ravana’s effigy. The festival conveys the message that truth and righteousness ultimately prevail over evil.
The organisers acknowledged the support of the District Administration Srinagar, Srinagar Police, Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA), Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Traffic Police, Fire and Emergency Services and other departments involved in facilitating the event.
The Samiti also expressed gratitude to volunteers and participants who contributed to the organisation of the celebrations.
The annual RavanDahan remained the main attraction of the evening, drawing families and local residents to the venue. The gathering highlighted the continued observance of Dussehra in Srinagar and the role of shared public celebrations in bringing people from different communities together.
The festival is observed on the tenth day of the Hindu lunar month of Ashwin, with traditions varying across regions. In Srinagar, the effigy-burning ceremony marked the culmination of the evening’s celebrations.
