Ravana Effigy Rush: Artisans Race Against Dussehra Clock

Artisans in Amritsar are in a critical final phase before Dussehra, working extended hours to meet a significant demand for Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghnad effigies. Orders have arrived from various towns across Punjab and neighboring Himachal Pradesh. Several Dussehra committees from Himachal's Chamba and Kangra districts have placed orders, with some effigies already dispatched and more scheduled for delivery before the October 20th festival.

The production of these effigies is a labor-intensive process. An experienced artisan noted that creating a large effigy can take 40 to 45 days, utilizing materials like bamboo, ropes, paper, and firecrackers, and requiring a team of 10 to 15 workers. The cost for the framework alone can be substantial. Beyond the large figures, smaller effigies, typically one foot tall and priced around Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500, are also in demand as families increasingly opt for localized celebrations.

Kewal Krishan from a Chamba district Dussehra Committee shared that their ordered Ravana and Kumbhakarna effigies, costing approximately Rs 95,000, were being transported via a small truck and expected to arrive by Monday noon. Meanwhile, across the border, the Hindu community in Pakistan is also celebrating Sharad Navratri from October 11 to 19, with events like Garba and Dandiya gatherings observed at Karachi's Shree Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple.