Heavy rainfall on Thursday dampened Dussehra celebrations across Delhi, drenching effigies of Ravan and forcing the cancellation of several key events meant for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. The unexpected downpour affected both public festivities and high-profile attendance.
PM Modi was set to attend the Raavan Dahan organized by the Indraprastha Ramleela Committee, but the relentless rain led to its cancellation. Suresh Bindal, president of the committee, confirmed the cancellation, stating, “The prime minister could not attend due to the rain. The effigies were damaged but later set on fire in the presence of Union Minister Harsh Malhotra, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva, and MLA Arvinder Singh Lovely.”
Similarly, Home Minister Amit Shah’s schedule met with disappointment as he could not attend the Keshav Ramleela Committee’s event at DDA Ground, Netaji Subhash Place, Pitampura. The BJP national general secretary Arun Singh stepped in as chief guest for the effigy burning. Ashok Goyal Devaraha, the committee’s president, confirmed their intention to invite Shah for a special appearance next year.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded significant rainfall throughout the day, with Pitampura receiving 17.5 mm, Ridge 15.4 mm, and Mayur Vihar 9.5 mm by 5:30 PM. This heavy rainfall not only disrupted celebrations but also left organizers scrambling to protect their effigies.
Organizers at various locations across the capital faced the challenge of keeping the effigies dry. Members of the Adarsh Ramleela Committee in Ashok Vihar expressed their frustration, “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.”
At Pitampura’s Aryan Heritage Foundation, organizer Anil Garg reported, “Around 10% of the effigy got drenched despite plastic covers. There was waterlogging, but we hope the Dahan goes well.” This sentiment echoed among various committees as they adjusted their plans in response to the heavy rain.
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.” Such improvisations proved necessary as organizers sought to salvage their festive plans amidst unexpected weather challenges.
Despite the setbacks, spirit remained high among those involved in Dussehra celebrations. The overwhelming resilience of participants showcased their commitment to preserving the traditional values associated with the festival, even in adverse conditions. Many still held onto optimism, viewing the celebrating of Dussehra as a symbol of victory over adversity.
