Hathras Celebrates Vijayadashami With Burning Of 65-Foot Ravana Effigy

Hathras celebrated Vijayadashami with great enthusiasm on Tuesday, with the burning of a 65-foot-tall effigy of Ravana at the M.G. Polytechnic ground. The event conveyed the message that no matter how powerful evil may be, good and truth ultimately emerge victorious.

A large number of people from the city as well as rural areas reached the ground to watch the Ravana burning. As soon as the effigy began to burn fiercely, the entire ground echoed with chants of “Jai Shri Ram.”

The 65-foot-tall effigy of the ten-headed Ravana, also known as Dashanan, had been prepared after around 15 days of work. It was erected at the Polytechnic ground in the evening, after which people began gathering to see it. The ground and the surrounding area appeared like a fair, with a festive atmosphere visible throughout the day.

People who had arrived from distant areas enjoyed chaat, pakodi and other food items. As evening approached, the ground filled with spectators. Everyone appeared eager to watch the moment when the effigy would be set on fire.

The Ravana burning took place after a performance of the battle between Lord Ram and Ravana. Late in the evening, performers portraying Lord Ram and Lakshman reached the ground. Ramleela artists then staged the battle between the two.

During the performance, Lord Ram followed the secret revealed by Vibhishan and targeted Ravana’s navel. He then fired a fire arrow at Ravana. As soon as the arrow struck, the huge effigy was surrounded by flames and began burning fiercely.

The sight of the flames rising from the effigy, along with colourful fireworks and the sound of firecrackers, drew loud chants of “Jai Shri Ram” from the people present at the ground. The effigy continued to burn as spectators watched the scene.

As soon as Ravana’s effigy fell to the ground, the people present celebrated the victory of good over evil. After the Ravana burning, a scene showing the meeting of Lord Ram and Mata Janaki was also presented.

The Vijayadashami programme gave people the message of following the path of truth, religion and good conduct. The festival was celebrated with enthusiasm across Hathras district, with the main event taking place at the M.G. Polytechnic ground.

Along with the city’s main programme, Ravana burning was also held in streets, neighbourhoods and different areas. Children prepared small Ravana effigies and set them on fire. Considerable enthusiasm was visible among the children during the festival.

Vijayadashami was also celebrated with faith and enthusiasm in the rural areas of the district. The celebrations continued at different places, where people took part in the festival and marked the victory of good over evil.

Ram Bahadur Yadav alias Bhola Pehelwan, Pawan Gautam, Rahul Chaudhary, Gopal Sharma, Additional Superintendent of Police Ramnandan Kushwaha, CO Himanshu Mathur and Kotwali in-charge Satyendra Raghav were present on the occasion, along with police personnel.

Police officers and personnel were deployed during the programme to maintain security arrangements.