The Shri Sanatan Dharma Dussehra Committee, Sector 46, Chandigarh, is set to celebrate its 28th annual Dussehra festival with grandeur and devotion on October 2.
The highlight of this year’s event will be the burning of a 101-foot-tall effigy of Ravana, along with effigies of Meghnad (95 feet) and Kumbhkaran (90 feet), making it the tallest Ravana effigy in Chandigarh once again. The much-talked-about presentation of the rotating head of Ravana sitting on a chariot, the burning of the golden Lanka, and the use of eco-friendly fireworks will be among the major attractions.
Addressing a press conference at Shri Sanatan Dharma Mandir, Sector 46, Committee Chief Patron-cum-Chairman Jatinder Bhatia, President Narinder Bhatia, and General Secretary Sushil Sowat said that the festival, symbolizing the victory of good over evil, will be celebrated with full devotion and enthusiasm.
They emphasized that, as in previous years, the committee will prioritize eco-friendly fireworks with displays mainly in the sky to ensure minimal environmental impact.
The event will be graced by Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Shri Gulab Chand Kataria as the Chief Guest, while Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav (IAS), Chief Engineer C.B. Ojha, and other dignitaries will attend as special guests.
The program will also be presided over by Prof. Siddharth Sharma, Vice President, GGDSD College Society, Chandigarh. Former chief engineers of Chandigarh, doctors from PGIMER, and several other eminent personalities will be present as guests of honor.
On the occasion, the Committee will also confer the “Chandigarh Ratna Award” in recognition of outstanding contributions. This year, the awardees include Dr. Sandeep Bansal from PGIMER Chandigarh and Monika Sharma, Principal of PML SD Public School, Chandigarh.
The celebrations will begin with a grand shobha yatra (religious procession) from Shri Sanatan Dharma Mandir, Sector 46, at 2 pm, which will pass through Sectors 45 and 46 before reaching the venue around 4:30 pm.
The stage will host devotional bhajans dedicated to Lord Ram and Lord Hanuman, along with Ramleela performances such as Parshuram-Ram Samvad, Ravan-Ram Samvad, and Hanuman-Ravan Samvad. For children, cartoon characters like Mickey Mouse and Doraemon will be present to distribute sweets and toys.
Stringent security arrangements have been made with the deployment of Chandigarh Police as well as private guards. Fire brigade vehicles and an ambulance team from a Mohali hospital will remain on standby throughout the celebrations. Over 10,000 chairs have been arranged for the audience, and around one lakh people are expected to attend the event.
The entire function will be broadcast live on YouTube and TV channels for those unable to attend at the venue. The organizers emphasized that the Dussehra festival of Sector 46 remains one of the most popular in the Tricity region due to its unique attractions and elaborate arrangements