Amidst scintillating fireworks, a 200-feet-tall effigy of demon king Ravana was set ablaze at Baba Prem Singh Complex at Barara on Friday.
Shri Ram Lila Club Barara claimed that it was the world's tallest effigy of Ravana, adding that last year's effigy was 195 feet tall, and had found mention in the Limca Book of World Records.
Tejinder Singh Chauhan, founder of the club that has been organising Dussehra festivities since 1987, said a five-day cultural event preceded this year's festivities, adding that over one lakh people of the area watched the epitome of evil being destroyed.
Convener of the festivities Tanveer Jafari said this year, the club had spent `75 lakh on the project, adding that the effigy of Ravana alone weighed 60 quintals.
He said the event, besides being a mega Hindu festival, was a good example of communal harmony, adding that he was a Muslim but had been associated with the Ram Lila Club for two decades.
Organisers said Muslim artistes had come from Agra to prepare the effigies of Ravan, Kumbhkaran and Meghnad, and had been camping here for the past several months.
Rajesh Singla of the club said chief guest Tarsem Garg, chancellor, MM University, ignited the fire with a remote control.
Meanwhile, effigies of Ravan, Kumbhkaran and Megnad were also set ablaze at Dussehra grounds in Ambala Cantt where MP Rattan Lal Kataria was the chief guest.
Rajesh Singla of the club said chief guest Tarsem Garg, chancellor, MM University, ignited the fire with a remote control.
Meanwhile, effigies of Ravan, Kumbhkaran and Megnad were also set ablaze at Dussehra grounds in Ambala Cantt where MP Rattan Lal Kataria was the chief guest.