Rajnath, Kejriwal take part in Dussehra festivities

By burning towering effigies of the ten-headed demon king Ravana along with his son Meghnad and brother Kumbhkarna and setting aside their political rivalries, Delhiites were soaked in a joyful mood while enjoying Dussehra celebration at Ramlila ground on Thursday. 

Ramlila ground, which has great history of celebration, witnessed a colourful evening. Home minister Rajnath Singh and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal attended the celebrations at two main Dussehra venues — Ramlila grounds and Utsav ground respectively. People from across the city thronged both the venues to take part in the age-old tradition.

After the conclusion of the final act of Ramlila where Ravana, the demon king, is killed by Lord Ram, Singh and Kejriwal held the symbolic arrow. Excited crowds at both the places were left spellbound by a show of fireworks that illuminated the entire sky with familiar chants of “Bolo Ram Chandra ki jai!” (All hail Ram) thronging the air.

“Dussehra is a symbol of our ancient culture and we should forget our differences and work towards nation building. That will be our victory. 

I appeal to the people to maintain unity and integrity of the nation and contribute to the country’s development. If people are united, they can achieve everything but if divided, they will fall. Ram and Laxman defeated Ravana due to their unity,” said Singh in his brief speech. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also invited to the celebrations but he could attend as he is in Andhra Pradesh where he laid laying the foundation stone for its capital city Amaravati. 

Burning of Ravana’s effigies marks the end of Navaratra and the beginning of the 20-day-long wait for Diwali, the festival of lights, to celebrate the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya after killing the demon king. 

Dressed in their festive best, people attended Ramlilas across city where artistes enacted the final battle episode of Ramayana where Lord Ram kills Ravana and brings back his wife Sita to Ayodhya on ‘Vijaydashmi’.