Indore: Ravana effigies washed away as rains play spoilsport

A sudden, brisk spell of rain washed away small and light Ravan effigies in Indore on Sunday evening, prompting organisers to mend them or erect new ones. However, Vijayadashami was celebrated with fervour.

A sudden, brisk spell of rain washed away small and light Ravan effigies on Sunday evening, prompting organisers to mend them or erect new ones.

The bigger effigies were drenched and took time to dry up as the moisture content in the wind was high. Lanka erected at Dussehra Maidan, the city’s main effigy burning venue, was damaged due to rains. It was repaired by the organisers which delayed effigy burning ritual.

However, Vijayadashami was celebrated with fervour. Members of Rajput community performed puja of shastra (weapons) on the occasion. Senior administrative and police officials also performed shastra puja.

The scions of erstwhile Holkar dynasty observed similar ritual. In the evening, they took out a palanquin procession. Palanquin had images of Holkar clan deity.

Starting at 4.30pm, the procession made its way through Sarafa and old Indore before being stopped for Tali Bhandar puja at Rajwada’s Malhari Martand temple.

On reaching Dussehra Maidan, Holkars performed puja of shami tree. Among other rituals, a sacrificial offering of white pumpkin was made before aarati. After the rituals, Vijayadashmi greetings were exchanged with betel leaf, betel nut and ‘itra’ (Indian perfume). The procession then returned to Holkar Bada.

In addition, Bengali community observed Sindoor Utsav at Bengali Club. Married women smeared gulal on each other on the occasion. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh took out a path sanchalan from different localities to mark its foundation day.