Dussehra celebrated with religious fervour

Srinagar, Oct 12: Dussehra festival was celebrated with religious fervour across Kashmir on Saturday.

Scores of devotees across Kashmir participated in the religious ceremony of the burning of effigies of Ravan.

The biggest event in Kashmir was held at Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar where effigies of Ravan, Meghnat, and Kumbkaran were set ablaze.

Dussehra is celebrated every year at the end of Navaratri.

It is observed on the 10th day of the month of Ashvin, the seventh in the Hindu lunisolar calendar.

The festival commemorates the lord Ram’s victory over Ravan.

Hindus remember this festival as the victory of good over evil.

The event at Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium was organised by Kashmiri Pandit Sangarash Samiti (KPSS) in which many participants participated.

KPSS General Secretary Rattan Chakoo said that their organisation has been organising this festival in Kashmir since 2007 and everything went smoothly with the cooperation of the people.

“For the past nine days, everyone was busy with poojas following the festival of Navratri. Our organisation has been working to organise the event for the past few days. Locals and even tourists participate in this event,” he said.

The organisers said that they had installed three effigies of Ravan, Meghnat, and Kumbkaran with Ravan’s effigy being about 45 feet tall and the other two being about 40 feet tall.

“This festival teaches us to stay grounded and keep our egos away. We have been organising this festival for many years here in Kashmir and everyone is supportive. Since there are no artisans that make effigies here in Kashmir, one of the supporters, Punit Balan, provided us with the logistic support and effigies, which made the event possible,” Mohit Bhan, another organiser, said.

Many local Kashmiris across faith were seen participating in the event and clicking videos and photos of the burning effigies, which were set ablaze at around 6 pm.

In addition to the local Pandit community, many tourists also participated in the event.

Many politicians and other public figures wished the Hindu community on Dussehra.