Curtains up on Ramlila from October 1 in Noida

Preparations for this year’s Ramlila are in full swing at Noida stadium

Preparations for this year’s Ramlila, the 10-day theatrical rendition of the Ramayana, are in full swing at Noida stadium as organisers expect lakhs of devotees from Noida, Delhi and other parts of Uttar Pradesh to turn up at the stadium.

A worker gives final touches to the Ramlila stage at Noida stadium. (Salman Ali/HT Photo)

In a press conference organised at Noida stadium on Thursday, Sri Ram Mitra Mandal, Noida, organisers of the Ramlila festival, said they are expecting a bigger turnout this year.

“The Ramlila will begin at 7pm on October 1 and will continue till Vijayadashmi on October 11. We have created a 70-foot tall Ravana, 65-foot Kumbhakarna and a 60-foot Meghnad effigies to be burnt on Vijayadashmi. This year, we are expecting more than three lakh devotees,” said Munna Kumar Sharma, chief organiser of Ramlila.

The Ramlila will also host a fair with rides and fun/food stalls. Many workers and skilled labourers have been enlisted to complete preparations before October 1.

“We have been painting cutouts for the pandal and stage for the past 10 days. Usually, a 15-foot tall cutout requires three to four days of work,” said Rajpal Singh, an artist at the venue.

We are a 10-member team from Meerut and Muradnagar. We have been preparing for the for the festival for the past 10 days. Usually, a 70-foot effigy takes 10-15 days to make,” said Ajit from Muradnagar