Delhi is in the festive mode with Ramlilas having taken over the city in all their grandeur. Adding the sheen to this are the celebrations of Dussehra that are witnessing quite a competition among Ramlila committees over the past few years. When it comes to the question of ‘Who will burn the tallest Ravana?’, Dwarka Shri Ramlila Society in Sector 10 has been stealing the thunder for the past few years. But this year, Old Delhi is reclaiming its first spot as a 110-feet high Ravana is set-up at Shri Ram Lila Committee’s Ramlila at Red Fort grounds.
“The 110 feet Ravana at our Ramlila will be a spectacle for those who see it burn as a lazer show will play on during its dahan and it’s life-like eyes will move,” says Ajay Aggarwal, president, Shri Ram Lila Committee, adding, “There will be 100ft high Kumbhakarna and 90 feet tall Meghnad effigies that will also be burnt. Alongwith the Ravana, we will bring down the evil in the world… Just a few days ago we staged Sita Mata’s haran (abduction) by collaborating with Delhi Police’s Cyber Crime Department, to show how we can safeguard ourselves by not making mistakes in this world that is full of crimes even online.”
In Dwarka, the tallest Ravana this year is being set-up at 101 feet height, shares Rajesh Gehlot, chief patron of Dwarka Shri Ramlila Society, adding, “Not only is our Ravana the highest here, but it will also be one of the most beautifully ornamented ones in Delhi. Visitors will be amazed by the Ravana dahan as it won’t have any fireworks but a shower of flowers... Ravana dahan se hum yeh dikhana chahte hain ki acchai ki agar burayi par jeet ho rahi hai toh woh ek khoobsoorat tareeke se bhi dikhayi ja sakti hai!”
Competing in full strength are other ramlilas in Old Delhi. “We will burn a 100ft tall effigy at the Red Fort grounds this year. We are coming back in full swing with the Ramlila from this year, and hosting a footfall of 80,000 to 1 lakh everyday,” says Arjun Kumar, president of Lav Kush Ramlila Committee. And though losing out on the height but holding on to the magnificence is the Ravana effigy at Nav Shree Dharmik Leela Committee. Jagmohan Gotewala, general secretary of the committee, adds, “Our Ravana will be 90ft high, and when it burns there will be a magnificent light and sound show visible to the visitors.”
{{/usCountry}}Competing in full strength are other ramlilas in Old Delhi. “We will burn a 100ft tall effigy at the Red Fort grounds this year. We are coming back in full swing with the Ramlila from this year, and hosting a footfall of 80,000 to 1 lakh everyday,” says Arjun Kumar, president of Lav Kush Ramlila Committee. And though losing out on the height but holding on to the magnificence is the Ravana effigy at Nav Shree Dharmik Leela Committee. Jagmohan Gotewala, general secretary of the committee, adds, “Our Ravana will be 90ft high, and when it burns there will be a magnificent light and sound show visible to the visitors.”
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