Kolkata, 14th October 2024: Upholding the cherished tradition of celebrating Dussehra with grandeur, the Salt Lake Sanskritik Sansad Committee & Sanmarg set the stage for an exhilarating event at Central Park (Salt Lake), where they burnt a monumental 60-feet tall effigy of Ravana, alongside 50-feet effigies of Meghnad and Kumbhakaran. This vibrant celebration aimed to bridge the gap between the citizens and the rich cultural heritage of West Bengal, commemorating the victory of good over evil.
The event was graced by prominent figures, including Sri Sujit Bose, Minister of State for Fire; Sri Krishna Chakraborty, Mayor of Bidhannagar; Sri Vivek Gupta, MLA; Sri Sabyasachi Dutta, Chairperson of Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation; Smt Ruchika Gupta, Director of Sanmarg; Sri Sanjay Agarwal, President of Salt Lake Sanskritik Sansad; Sri Lalit Beriwala, Chairman of the Trust Board of Salt Lake Sanskritik Sansad; Sri Amit Poddar, Secretary of Salt Lake Sanskritik Sansad; Sri Pradeep Todi, IPP of Salt Lake Sanskritik Sansad; and many other eminent personalities.
The celebration attracted thousands of devotees eager to witness the annual ritual of burning the effigy of demon king Ravana. Throughout India, many Hindus observe Dussehra with special prayer meetings and food offerings to the gods at home or in temples. Outdoor fairs and large parades with effigies of Ravana, which are burnt on bonfires in the evening, are also commonplace. In addition, idols of goddess Durga are immersed in bodies of water.
Speaking to the media, Sri Sanjay Agarwal, President of Salt Lake Sanskritik Sansad, stated, “We made many special arrangements at Central Park ground to celebrate the victory of good over evil. In addition to the symbolic burning of the towering 60-feet Ravana effigy, we hosted a captivating fire show and various cultural performances that captivated the audience.”
On this occasion, Sri Lalit Beriwala, Chairman of the Trust Board of Salt Lake Sanskritik Sansad, remarked, “This year marks the grand 12th anniversary of our Dussehra event, famously known as East India’s largest celebration. Vijaya Dashami signifies the culmination of the annual Durga Puja festival, and Ravan effigies are set ablaze nationwide to symbolize the victory of righteousness over malevolence. We brought in artists from various regions to enthrall the audience. In addition to the cultural performances, a series of sacred rituals preceded the effigy burning, with an audience exceeding 25,000 enthusiastic participants.”
Sri Amit Poddar, Secretary of Salt Lake Sanskritik Sansad, added, “This celebration not only marks the victory of good over evil but also reinforces our rich cultural heritage. We are proud to unite our community in this grand tradition.”
