Dussehra celebrated across Punjab, Haryana; 221-foot Ravana effigy burnt in Panchkula

Dussehra celebrations illuminated the skies across Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh on Tuesday evening as towering effigies of demon king Ravana, his son Meghnad and brother Kumbhakarna went up in flames amid large gatherings and elaborate security arrangements.

The festival, also known as Vijayadashami, commemorates Lord Ram's victory over Ravana and symbolises the triumph of good over evil.

Celebrations were held in Ludhiana, Amritsar, Mohali, Patiala and Pathankot in Punjab, and Panchkula, Karnal, Rohtak, Ambala, Gurugram and Faridabad in Haryana, besides several locations in Chandigarh.

A major attraction was the burning of a 221-foot Ravana effigy in Haryana's Panchkula, where spectators gathered to witness the ceremonial event.

𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗵 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗥𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗗𝗮𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝘂𝗱𝗵𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗮

Union Home Minister Amit Shah attended a Ravana Dahan ceremony in Ludhiana during his day-long visit to Punjab.

Shah, who was in the state to meet families of people who had died in incidents linked to drug abuse, addressed a gathering at the Dussehra celebrations.

Recalling his childhood, Shah said Ludhiana's Dussehra celebrations had long been renowned beyond Punjab.

"In Gujarat, we used to hear that if one has to see the Dussehra celebration and the burning of the Ravana effigy, one must go to Ludhiana," he said.

The Home Minister said the burning of Ravana's effigy symbolised the victory of good over evil and encouraged people to overcome negative tendencies within themselves.

"Vijayadashami is a day for every individual to eliminate the ego, greed, and all other vices that reside within them," Shah said.

𝗦𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶 𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗹𝘀

Addressing a Dussehra gathering in Rohtak, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini called upon people to resolve to eliminate social evils while participating in the symbolic burning of Ravana's effigy.

He identified ego, falsehood, hatred, discrimination, drug abuse, corruption and discrimination against daughters as contemporary evils requiring collective action.

Saini said the purpose of power was to eliminate injustice and establish righteousness and justice in society.

Drawing references from Hindu scriptures, he recalled how Lord Narasimha ended Hiranyakashipu's arrogance in Satyuga, Lord Ram defeated Ravana in Treta Yuga and Lord Krishna delivered the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita at Kurukshetra during Dwapara Yuga.

He said the symbolic Ravana of the present age had a thousand faces, representing the various social problems affecting society.

The Chief Minister also referred to the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, describing it as the fulfilment of the aspirations of millions of devotees after centuries of anticipation.

𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and his Haryana counterpart Saini extended Dussehra greetings to people across the two states.

Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria said the festival conveyed the importance of overcoming ego and negativity while embracing unity, compassion and love.

He said Lord Ram's life inspired people to follow the path of righteousness even during difficult circumstances.

Haryana Governor Ashim Kumar Ghosh also greeted people, expressing hope that the festival would inspire efforts to build a stronger and more compassionate society.

"May the triumph of good over evil, truth over falsehood and justice over injustice inspire all to build a stronger, more compassionate and righteous society," Ghosh said.

𝗟𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗱𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗴𝘆 𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴

In Chandigarh, people gathered at several venues to witness the traditional burning of effigies of Ravana, Meghnad and Kumbhakarna.

Similar scenes unfolded across Punjab and Haryana as crowds assembled at designated grounds for the evening ceremonies.

The 221-foot Ravana effigy in Panchkula was among the major attractions of the celebrations, drawing attention for its towering height.

Authorities made tight security arrangements at various venues across both states to manage the gatherings and ensure the smooth conduct of festivities.

The celebrations concluded with the ceremonial burning of effigies, reinforcing the festival's traditional message of the triumph of righteousness over evil.