Heavy rainfall on Thursday dampened Dussehra celebrations across Delhi, washing away the spirit of one of the most anticipated festivals in the national capital. The unprecedented downpour forced the cancellation of several major events, including those scheduled to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
PM Modi was set to attend the Raavan Dahan organized by the Indraprastha Ramleela Committee. However, the sudden heavy rains led to this event’s abrupt cancellation. Committee president Suresh Bindal confirmed, “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, MLA Arvinder Singh Lovely, and others.”
Amit Shah was also unable to participate in the Keshav Ramleela Committee’s event at DDA Ground in Netaji Subhash Place, Pitampura. In his absence, BJP national general secretary Arun Singh stepped in as chief guest for the effigy burning ceremony. Ashok Goyal Devaraha, the committee president, expressed hopes of inviting Shah next year to perform the Dahan.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported significant rainfall across various regions of Delhi. By 5:30 PM, Pitampura recorded 17.5 mm of rainfall, while Ridge experienced 15.4 mm, and Mayur Vihar had 9.5 mm.
Organizers struggled to keep the effigies dry amidst persistent rainfall. Members of the Adarsh Ramleela Committee from Ashok Vihar lamented, “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 the Aryan Heritage Foundation in Pitampura, organizer Anil Garg noted, “Around 10% of the effigy got drenched despite plastic covers. There was waterlogging, but we hope the Dahan goes well.” This sentiment reflected the concerns of many organizers across the city grappling with the rain.
Meanwhile, Nitin Gupta, treasurer of the Hanumant Dharmik Ramleela Committee in East Delhi, shared his frustration: “The rain came as a shock and delayed preparations. We are now using petrol and diesel to ensure the effigy catches fire.” This attempt to salvage the celebrations echoes the challenges many faced this season.
This year’s events highlighted not only the unpredictability of weather during festive times but also the enduring spirit of the organizers and participants, who strive to uphold traditions despite climatic adversity. Dussehra celebrations, which symbolize the victory of good over evil, faced unexpected obstacles, yet the community’s resilience shone through, as they adapted to the changing conditions.
