Effigies of Ravana, Meghnada and Kumbhakarana were burnt across the
capital Wednesday as the city celebrated Dussehra - symbolising the
victory of good over evil.
Crowds thronged popular 'Ramlila'
venues like the Lav-Kush and Shri Nav Dharmik Lila Committees in old
Delhi and the Shri Ramlila Committee in Punjabi Bagh area of the city to
catch the final episode of the dramatic re-enactment of the life of
Lord Rama.
With the burning of the effigies, spectacular fireworks lit up the sky and captivated the crowds.
"The
special effects were too good, especially the fire coming out of
Ravan's mouth," said an ecstatic 14-year-old Shaan Dogra watching the
spectacle organised by the Lav-Kush Ramlila Committee.
"Special
effects were an integral part of the ceremony this year. The effigies
emitted fire from the mouth and their ornaments changed colours as they
were set on fire," said Lav-Kush Ramlila Committee secretary Arjun
Kumar.
Donning their best ethnic attires, people thronged temples that were decked up with lights and flowers to offer their prayers.
President
Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president
Sonia Gandhi were among the leaders who witnessed the burning of the
effigy of Ravana, a symbol of evil, to mark the celebrations at Subhash
Maidan near the historic Red Fort.
Vice-President Hamid Ansari,
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, Lt Governor Tejendra Khanna and
Communications Minister Kapil Sibal were also present at the function.
The
festivities culminated after nine auspicious days of navratri, during
which Ramlila is enacted to depict the life of Lord Ram.
A sudden heavy downpour Tuesday threatened to mar the annual burning of the effigies as many got wet and some damaged.
The organisers had to work overtime to repair the damaged effigies.
With
the weatherman forecasting no rains Wednesday, the organisers
definitely breathed a sigh of relief. The navratra festivities dedicated
to Goddess Durga also came to an end Wednesday.
Delhi celebrates Dussehra
