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Dussehra celebrated in Valley,Ravana effigy burnt at Srinagar’s SK Stadium

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Srinagar/New Delhi: Dussehra was celebrated with great enthusiasm across the valley. Meanwhile, the festival was observed across India on Saturday.

In Srinagar, the main event took place at Srinagar’s Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium, where a towering effigy of Ravana was set ablaze. According to Hinduism, this marks the triumph of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana.

The celebration saw participation from various communities, including local Kashmiri Pandits, who have continued to observe the festival despite being a minority in the region.

Speaking on the occasion, a Kashmiri Pandit resident said, “Celebrating Dussehra in the valley reminds us of our roots and shared traditions. It’s a moment of unity and hope for all of us.”

Another Kashmiri Pandit, Sanjay Kumar, said, “Dussehra in Kashmir holds special significance. It brings a sense of community and togetherness, something we deeply cherish.”

Adding to the event’s significance, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) president Dr Farooq Abdullah attended and extended his greetings to the people. He highlighted the role of festivals in fostering community bonds.

The celebration concluded with a spectacular display of fireworks lighting up the Srinagar sky, which marked the end of the festivities.

Meanwhile, Dussehra was celebrated across the country on Saturday with revellers coming out in large numbers to witness the burning of Ravana effigies, marking a spectacular culmination of 10-day of festivities filled with rituals, songs, dance and processions.

Effigies of the demon king, his brother Kumbhakarna and son Meghnad went up in flames at open grounds with the attending crowds erupting as the firecrackers from the burning effigies illuminated the night sky.

Social media platforms were awash with colourful, celebratory posts with people wishing each other health and happiness.

President DroupadiMurmu, Prime Minister NarendraModi attended the festivities at the Red Fort Parade Ground where they were welcomed by the organisers of Sri DharmikLeela Committee.

The festival celebrates Lord Rama’s vanquishing the 10-headed demon king Ravana, and symbolises the triumph of good over evil.

Huge Durga puja pandals were set up across venues showcasing designs based on a variety of innovative themes including on politics, paintings and iconic monuments.

Pandals were decorated abundantly and lit up colourfully as people came in with families and friends to celebrate the festival.

Ram Leela — a theatrical performance based on Lord Ram’s life — was performed in cities, towns and villages, with actors dressing up as characters from the Ramayan and enacting scenes from the Hindu epic.

But two dreaded criminals took advantage of such a performance in the Haridwar district jail and escaped when Ram Leelawas being staged. A search has been launched to nab Pankaj, who was serving life sentence for a murder, and Rajkumar, an undertrial.

An incident was reported from Odisha also where gold and silver ornaments worth around Rs 10 lakh were stolen from a Durga Puja pandal at Barundei temple in Jajpur district.

On the occasion, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh performed “Shastra Puja” (worship of weapons) at the Sukna military station in West Bengal, and said the ritual is a “clear indication that if need be, weapons and equipment will be used with full force”.

“India has never attacked any country out of hatred or contempt. We fight only when someone insults or tries to harm our integrity and sovereignty; when war is waged against religion, truth and human values. This is what we have inherited. We will continue to preserve this heritage,” Singh said in a statement issued by the defence ministry.

“However, if our interests are threatened, we will not hesitate to take a big step. ‘Shastra Puja’ is a clear indication that if need be, the weapons, equipment will be used with full force,” he said.

Meanwhile, the External Affairs Ministry expressed “serious concern” over the reported attack on a DurgaPujapandal and theft at a revered Kali temple in Bangladesh, and requested Dhaka to ensure the safety and security of Hindus, all other minorities and their places of worship in the neighbouring country. (with inputs from KNO/PTI)

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