Heavy rains across Delhi on Dussehra impacted the festive atmosphere and disrupted celebrations. On Thursday, the downpour damaged effigies of Ravan, leading to the cancellation of major events, including those attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. Organisers confirmed that the ongoing rainfall forced them to reevaluate their plans and adapt under challenging circumstances.
Prime Minister Modi was expected to participate in the Raavan Dahan organized by the Indraprastha Ramleela Committee. However, the heavy rains caused damage to the effigies, culminating in a cancellation of the event. Suresh Bindal, president of the committee, noted, “The prime minister could not attend due to the rain. The effigies were damaged but later went up in flames in the presence of Union Minister Harsh Malhotra, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva, and MLA Arvinder Singh Lovely.
Home Minister Amit Shah also faced a similar fate. He could not attend the Keshav Ramleela Committee’s event at DDA Ground, Netaji Subhash Place in Pitampura. Instead, BJP national general secretary Arun Singh stepped in as the chief guest for the effigy-burning ceremony. The committee’s president, Ashok Goyal Devaraha, expressed hope, “We will invite Shah again next year to perform the Dahan.”
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported significant rainfall across various parts of the capital. By 5:30 PM, Pitampura witnessed 17.5 mm of rainfall, Ridge received 15.4 mm, and Mayur Vihar recorded 9.5 mm. These figures underscore the unusual weather conditions that hindered the traditional festivities.
Organisers struggled to protect the effigies from the relentless rain. The Adarsh Ramleela Committee members in Ashok Vihar shared their challenges: “We tried to cover it with plastic, but most of it still got drenched. It seems Indra Dev wanted Ravan to drown rather than burn this year.” Their sentiment echoed the dismay across the festival’s participants.
At the Aryan Heritage Foundation event in Pitampura, organiser Anil Garg reported, “Around 10% of the effigy got drenched despite plastic covers. There was waterlogging, but we hope the Dahan goes well.” His words capture the collective struggle of event managers aiming to uphold the spirit of Dussehra despite adverse weather.
Similarly, Nitin Gupta, treasurer of the Hanumant Dharmik Ramleela Committee in East Delhi, remarked, “The rain came as a shock and delayed preparations. We are now using petrol and diesel to ensure the effigy catches fire.” Gupta’s adaptation highlights the urgency and determination of festival organisers.
As festivities unfold across Delhi, the community remains resilient. Many Delhiites, though faced with challenges, recalled the essence of Dussehra. Each year, this festival symbolizes the victory of good over evil, irrespective of the weather. The rainy interruptions in 2023 underscore the unpredictability of nature yet reinforce the spirit of unity among residents.
