Friday, November 8, 2024
spot_img

Muslim artisans crafting Ravana effigies for Dussehra in Ajmer

Date:

Share post:

spot_img
spot_img

New Delhi, Oct 6 :In Rajasthan’s Ajmer a team of Muslim artisans from Uttar Pradesh’s Fatehpur Sikri is working day and night to construct the effigies of Ravana, Meghnath, and Kumbhkaran for the grand Ravana Dahan event to take place on October 12.

Like every year the Ajmer Municipal Corporation in Rajasthan’s Ajmer district will celebrate Dussehra with the grand Ravana Dahan event at the city’s Patel Ground, where Ravana’s effigy will be burned.

With Dussehra approaching, preparations are in full swing.

Shabbir Ahmed Farooqui, a resident of Fatehpur Sikri in Agra, has been creating these effigies for the last 30 years. He first came to Ajmer in 1993 to make Ravana’s effigy and has been doing so ever since.

Farooqui mentioned that a team of 15 artisans, including his family members, are involved in building the effigies.

“This year, Ravana’s effigy will stand at 65 feet, while those of Kumbhkaran and Meghnath will be 45 feet tall. A replica of Lanka is also being constructed,” he told IANS.

For the creation of these effigies, materials such as bamboo, waste paper pulp, rope, fabric, colours, coconut husk, jute, and crackers for the explosions are being used.

Shabbir Ahmed further informed that this year’s Ravana will feature special effects: it will blink its eyes, wave a sword with its hands, emit flames from its mouth, and have a spinning chakra in its navel. Moreover, Ravana’s 10 heads will fly off one by one, controlled by a remote.”

Shabbir’s brother, Shakeel Ahmed Farooqui, added that the Ajmer Municipal Corporation has allotted them Rs 4 lakh to make the effigies of Ravana, Meghnath, and Kumbhkaran. Due to the late issuance of the contract by the corporation, the team has been working around the clock to complete the effigies on time.

This year, Dussehra will be celebrated on October 12. As Saturday marks the fourth day of the Navratri festival, with limited time remaining for Dussehra, artisans are racing to complete the effigy before the deadline.

–IANS

spot_img
spot_img

Related articles

610,000 stimulant tablets seized in Myanmar

Yangon, Nov 8: Myanmar Police seized 610,000 stimulant tablets in Myanmar's Shan state, according to the Central Committee...

3 terror associates involved in Srinagar ‘Sunday Market’ grenade attack arrested

Srinagar, Nov 8: The three terror associates involved in a grenade attack at the Sunday Market in Srinagar...

Corruption an obstacle to economic progress: President Murmu

New Delhi, Nov 8:  President Droupadi Murmu on Friday highlighted the need for integrity and honesty in the...

Deepika holds daughter Dua in her arms as they jet off for a family vacation

Mumbai, Nov 8: New mom Deepika Padukone made her first public appearance with her daughter, Dua, on Friday....