The impact of the global COVID pandemic was observed during the Dussehra celebrations in the yoga capital of India. It happened for the second time in 56 years when the effigy of Ravana had to be immersed in the Ganges rather than burning. Earlier, this was done when the situation worsened after the Rampur Tiraha case in Muzaffarnagar during the Uttarakhand Movement. Following this, the administration did not allow the effigies to be burnt, and the effigies were immersed in the Ganges. The same is being repeated this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. The administration had permitted to construct a 12-foot high effigy and had set a capping of 50 people to participate in the program.
Under the aegis of Subhash Club Dussehra Committee of Rishikesh, this year’s Dussehra festival was celebrated on Sunday with simplicity and traditions, symbolizing the victory of good over evil. A 12-foot-high effigy of Ravana was built at the Triveni Ghat Aarti site by Shafiq Ahmed, a resident of Muzaffarnagar. Along with Ravana’s effigy, 5-feet-long effigies of Kumbhakaran and Meghnath were also built. During the program, the effigies were duly worshipped and immersed in the Ganges, following all the COVID-19 precautionary measures.