Overview

• A sudden rainstorm in parts of north India a day before Dussehra soaked and broke many Ravana effigies, with major losses reported in Delhi’s Titarpur market and Jaipur’s Ravana mandi.
• Effigy makers described severe financial setbacks and time pressure to repair pieces, with some saying only a fraction of their orders could be delivered before events.
• Artisans publicly appealed to district and state authorities to treat the damage as a disaster and provide compensation or assistance.
• Large public burnings and household purchases proceeded in many cities, as photo reports showed markets bustling and towering effigies being installed and transported.
• Several communities marked the festival differently, with Bisrakh and a once-a-year Kanpur temple worshipping Ravan, a Maharashtra village venerating him, and a Mathura group renewing its call to end effigy-burning on religious and safety grounds.