New Delhi/Hapur:

A Muslim family in Uttar Pradesh has been making Dussehra effigies for the last three generations showcasing the beauty of cultural diversity.

Masoom Ali from Uttar Pradesh’s Hapur district has made a 70-feet effigy of Ravana, Meghnad and Kumbhakaran for Dussehra.

“Our family has been doing this for 100 years. My grandfather did it, my father did it. Our future generations will do it too,” he told NDTV.

Carrying forward the family legacy, Masoom Ali said Dussehra is not just a celebration for them, but also a source of livelihood.

Their effigies are an integral part of the annual Ramlila event in Hapur’s Pilkhuwa, where the effigies of Ravana, Meghnad, and Kumbhakaran are burned on Dussehra evening, marking the triumph of good over evil.

Masoom’s brother-in-law, who also works with him, said they wait for Dussehra every year, the way they wait for Eid.

Masoom said inflation has affected their business over the years because of a steady surge in raw material prices. “In every few years, the size of the Ravana decreases by 10-feet,” he said.

Vijayadashami marks the 10th day of the Shardiya Navratri when people across the country burn effigies of Ravana along with his son Meghnath and brother Kumbhakaran.

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished the nation today on Dussehra, celebrated every year at the end of Navaratri. 

“Best wishes to my family members across the country on Vijayadashami. This holy festival brings the message of ending negative forces as well as adopting goodness in life. Wishing you all a Happy Vijaya Dashami!” the PM posted on X.

देशभर के मेरे परिवारजनों को विजयादशमी की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं। यह पावन पर्व नकारात्मक शक्तियों के अंत के साथ ही जीवन में अच्छाई को अपनाने का संदेश लेकर आता है।

Wishing you all a Happy Vijaya Dashami!

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 24, 2023

Home Minister Amit Shah also extended his greetings and said: “Best wishes to all on ‘Vijayadashami’. No matter how dense the darkness of unrighteousness is, the victory of the light of righteousness based on truth is eternal. Symbolic of the victory of virtue over sin, ‘Vijayadashami’ is a festival that inspires and teaches us to always follow the path of wisdom and truth. May Lord Shri Ram bless everyone. Jai Shri Ram!”

समस्त देशवासियों को ‘विजयादशमी’ की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं।
अधर्म का अंधकार चाहे कितना भी घना क्यों न हो, सत्य के आधार पर धर्म के उजाले की विजय शाश्वत है। पाप पर पुण्य की विजय का प्रतीक ‘विजयादशमी’ हमें सदैव विवेक और सत्य के मार्ग पर चलने की प्रेरणा व शिक्षा देने वाला पर्व है।
प्रभु… pic.twitter.com/FX8bcVnNle

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) October 24, 2023

The festival of Dussehra will be celebrated across the country today, with effigies of Ravana being burned to mark the victory of good over evil.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) will hold its annual Vijaydashmi Utsav in Nagpur today. The customary Dussehra gathering will be addressed by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat at the Reshimbaug ground – an integral part of the organisation’s event calendar, a release said.