Jaipur, Oct 20 Dussehra was celebrated with traditional fervour across Rajasthan on Tuesday, with Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma urging people to eliminate terrorism, Naxalism, corruption and drug abuse to build a strong and prosperous society.
Sharma, who also offered prayers at a Ram temple and attended the Ravan Dahan festival at Adarsh Nagar in Jaipur, extended Vijayadashami greetings to the people of the state. Thousands of devotees gathered to witness the burning of effigies of Ravan, Kumbhakarna and Meghnad, accompanied by fireworks and cultural programmes.
In Ajmer, Rajasthan Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani participated in the Dussehra celebrations at Patel Stadium, where a 65-foot effigy of Ravan was burned. A show featuring 125 drones depicted scenes from the Ramayana and displayed ‘Jai Shri Ram’ in the sky.
In Jaisalmer, District Collector Anupama Jorwal burned a 50-foot Ravan effigy using a remote control at Shaheed Poonam Singh Stadium. He also burned effigies of Meghnad and Kumbhakarna, each 40 feet tall.
In Jodhpur, people set ablaze a 60-foot Ravana effigy and those of other mythological characters at the Ramlila Ground, followed by a fireworks display.
Around 100 families in Jodhpur who identify as descendants of Ravan mourned after the effigy burning, then offered prayers to Lord Shiva and performed Rudrabhishek as part of their traditional rituals.
In Banswara, district officials and a large gathering watched effigies of Ravan, Meghnad and Kumbhakarna burn at the College Ground.
Similar celebrations took place in Jhunjhunu, where people burned a 45-foot Ravana effigy after a staged battle between Ram and Ravana.
In Kota, people prepared a 105-foot Ravana effigy for the Dussehra celebrations, while other districts held cultural performances, processions, and fireworks.
(PTI News)
