An effigy of the demon king Ravan exploded during a Dussehra event on Saturday, leading to comparisons with a “nuclear test”. The moment was captured in a now-viral video circulating on social media. It shows a towering effigy, part of the traditional Ravan Dahan, erupting with a massive explosion.

Dussehra or Vijayadashmi is a major Hindu festival marking the victory of good over evil. One of the key events of the celebration is Ravan Dahan, which involves burning the effigies of the demon king Ravan, his brother Kumbhakarna, and his son Meghnath. The act symbolises the triumph of Lord Rama over Ravan.

The video showed spectators eagerly awaiting the burning of the effigy, as is the tradition during Dussehra. People lined up with their phones to capture the symbolic moment. However, shortly after the effigy was lit, an unexpected explosion occurred, creating a massive mushroom-like cloud that shot up into the sky, similar to a nuclear blast.

The sudden blast caused panic among the crowd, with bystanders scrambling and running for cover.

Dussehra Nuclear test pic.twitter.com/77UwOboZ72

— ????????????ℎ????ᡣ???? (@aryansingh2466) October 13, 2024

“Nuclear test,” a user wrote on X.

Another wrote, “Nuclear bomb testing was also done with Ravana Dahan.”

રાવણ દહન સાથે ન્યુક્લિયર બોમ્બ નું ટેસ્ટિંગ પણ કરી લીધું pic.twitter.com/gTF2ahauHb

— Divu Ahir (@Divuahirr) October 14, 2024

In Patna, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar led the Ravan Dahan ceremony at the Gandhi Maidan. An 80-foot-tall effigy of Ravan was set on fire as part of the tradition. Key figures, including Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary and Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, were among the attendees.

#WATCH | Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and Dy CM Samrat Choudhary attend #DussehraCelebration at Gandhi Maidan in Patna pic.twitter.com/nqk833V4Wt

— ANI (@ANI) October 12, 2024

Nitish Kumar fired an arrow to ignite the effigy, which quickly burst into flames, followed by the burning of 75-foot and 70-foot effigies of Meghnath and Kumbhakarna, respectively. Before the ceremony, the Chief Minister and the Governor performed an aarti of Lord Ram. A massive crowd, estimated to be around a lakh had gathered at Gandhi Maidan to witness the spectacle. 

Playing out a clip of his taking oath as Maharashtra Chief Minister from Shivaji Park in 2019, Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday sent out both a message and a warning to his rivals as he delivered his annual Dussehra speech from the iconic Mumbai park. 

A little over 10 km from the first venue, at Azad Maidan, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde delivered his Dussehra speech, comparing his former boss, Uddhav Thackeray, with the Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM, suggesting Muslim appeasement politics.

The combative speeches come weeks before Maharashtra polls, which are to be held before November-end.

Recalling his rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership in June 2022, Mr Shinde said he freed the real Shiv Sena from the clutches of those who betrayed Balasaheb Thackeray’s ideals.

“Had the uprising not been carried out by us, true Shiv Sainiks would have been humiliated and Maharashtra would have gone back many years,” said Mr Shinde, accused the previous Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government of blocking various development projects, saying that the state’s debt rose by Rs 17,000 crore due to the arrogance and stalling of the projects.

Uddhav Thackeray, during his speech, referred to Mr Shinde-led Sena as “duplicate”. 

“Ratan Tata once told me that JRD Tata trusted him after seeing his work, and then handed over his legacy. He said Balasaheb also chose you (Uddhav) after he found you trustworthy,” Mr Thackeray said, recounting a conversation with the iconic businessman who died this week, underlining his claim on the party. 

Taking aim at his former ally, Mr Thackeray said the BJP should be ashamed of calling itself “Bharatiya.” He also compared it to the Kauravas, accusing it of showing arrogance.

Accusing the ruling Mahayuti alliance of building Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue for votes and said if Maha Vikas Aghadi government comes to power after the assembly polls, he will build Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Mandir in every district of the state.

The statue, which collapsed eight months after it was built, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 4 in 2023.   

“This (Mahayuvti government) only built Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue for votes and that Satute fell, but I want to tell you and promise you that when we come into government I will build Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Mandir in every district of Maharashtra and around them we wrote the history of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, yes, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is our God and I will build mandir, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is vote bank from them and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is my god,” Mr Thackeray said.

Nagpur:

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Saturday said India has become stronger and more respected in the world with enhanced credibility in the last few years but sinister conspiracies are testing the country’s resolve.

He said a narrative is being spread in Bangladesh that India is a threat and that they should join hands with Pakistan as a defence.

Mr Bhagwat said firmness of personal and national character becomes the foundation of strength for the victory of auspiciousness and righteousness, whether the situation is favourable or not.

He was addressing the annual Vijayadasahmi rally of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in Nagpur.

“Everyone feels Bharat has become stronger and more respected in the world with enhanced credibility in the last few years. A country becomes great due to the national character of its people. This year is important as RSS steps into its centenary year,” he said.

Besides hopes and aspirations, challenges and problems also exist in India, he said.

“We should draw inspiration from personalities like Ahilyabai Holkar, Dayananda Saraswati, Birsa Munda and many more who devoted their lives to the count’s welfare, dharma, culture and society,” said the RSS chief.

The ongoing Hamas-Israel war is a cause for concern about how far the conflict will spread, he said.

Mr Bhagwat expressed satisfaction that the recent assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir were held peacefully.

“Due to the people, government and administration, the country’s image, power, fame and position on the world stage is growing. But sinister conspiracies have appeared to destabilise and disturb the country,” he said.

According to Mr Bhagwat, a narrative is being spread in neighbouring Bangladesh, which recently witnessed a massive political upheaval, that India is a threat and they should join Pakistan as a defence against Bharat. Who is spreading such a narrative, he asked.

The RSS chief said a tyrannical fundamentalist nature exists in Bangladesh. A sword of danger hangs over the heads of minorities, including Hindus. Hindus have now come out to defend themselves, he added.

“Being unorganised and weak is like inviting atrocities by the wicked. Hindus need to be united,” he stressed.

‘Deep State’, ‘wokeism’ and ‘cultural Marxist’ are declared enemies of all cultural traditions, Mr Bhagwat said.

In a multi-party democracy, petty selfish interests have become more important than mutual harmony, pride and integrity of the nation. In the competition among parties, these key aspects are considered secondary, he said.

The attempts to create divisiveness in society have become bigger than national interest. Their modus operandi is to stand in support of one party and advance their destructive agenda in the name of “alternative politics”, he said.

Mr Bhagwat described the Kolkata rape-murder as shameful and said attempts were made to protect criminals. The nexus of crime, politics and poisonous culture is ruining the society, he said. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday greeted people on Vijayadashami.

“I wish all of you achieve victory in every sphere of life with the blessings of Maa Durga and Prabhu Shri Ram,” he said on X.

Vijayadashami marks the end of Durga Puja and commemorates Lord Ram’s victory over demon king Ravan. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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.