Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 30 Sep: With just about two days to go for Dussehra, the preparations for the festival are in full swing across the country. In Uttarakhand, Dussehra melas are being organised at various locations, and the Parade Ground in Dehradun is witnessing rapid progress in its festive arrangements. Final touches are being applied to the fairgrounds, which are being transformed into a vibrant venue for the annual celebration.
This year, a colossal 121-foot-tall effigy of Ravan has been installed at the Parade Ground, accompanied by towering effigies of Kumbhakaran and Meghnath, measuring 70 feet and 60 feet, respectively. The Dussehra Mela in Dehradun is organised every year by the Bannu Biradari, and the Parade Ground is once again being adorned with grandeur to mark the occasion. In addition to the effigies, a structure representing Ravan’s Lanka is also being constructed, which will be symbolically set ablaze before the burning of the three effigies on Dussehra.
Sources report that Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami will grace the event as the chief guest and set the effigy on fire.
To ensure public safety and smooth conduct of the event, extensive security arrangements are being put in place. Barricades have been erected around the Parade Ground to manage the large crowds that gather annually, often leading to congestion and disorder. A separate area has been designated for the fireworks display, which is also being heavily barricaded to restrict public access. At present, the effigy of Ravan stands tall at the venue, while the Lanka structure is nearing completion. All preparations are expected to be finalised by 1 October, a day prior to Vijayadashami.
The installation of the Ravan effigy has sparked considerable enthusiasm among the public, with many visiting the Parade Ground to click selfies and witness the scale of the arrangements. The Chief Minister traditionally attends the effigy burning ceremony at the Parade Ground every year, and Dhami is expected to grace the Dussehra Mela this year as well. It may be noted that Dussehra is celebrated as a festival symbolising victory of good over evil.
