Rain scare for Dussehra effigies in Delhi

October 23, 2012 | Religion | Written by

New Delhi, Oct 23: The sudden downpour in the capital Tuesday damaged some effigies of Ravana, Meghnada and Kumbhkarana at several Ramlila grounds a day before they were to be burnt on the occasion of Dussehra, and worried organisers worked overtime to repair them.

Some effigies which were kept under the sky in open spaces got damaged while a few which had been put up on poles fell down due to the strong wind.

“The effigies have fallen down due to the stormy weather and are damaged,” said Satyadev Goyal, president of Shri Ramlila Committee Punjabi Bagh, in west Delhi.

“Now workers will work through the night to make new ones,” he added.

The Lav Kush Ramlila Committee which organises effigy-burning in central Delhi also faced a similar challenge.

“The effigies are wet and have fallen down, but are not heavily damaged. Some parts of the effigies have come off and we are repairing them,” Arjun Kumar, secretary of the committee, told IANS.

“We will be ready by tomorrow (Wednesday) morning,” he added.

Some like the Nav Dharmik Lila Committee in central Delhi were lucky enough to get away without much harm due to the rain.

“The rain did not affect us by the blessing of Lord Rama. The effigies are a bit wet but have not fallen and have not been damaged,” said Hari Chand Agarwal, president of the committee.

Delhi was lashed Tuesday afternoon by rains accompanied by strong winds after witnessing days of pleasant and sunny weather. The Met Office forecast more rain Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the unexpected downpour Tuesday failed to dampen the spirit of organisers of the ongoing Durga Puja in the capital as majority of them said that the damage to marquees was superficial and there would be no alteration in their schedule. Durga Pujas would end Wednesday with idol immersion.

IANS