Full Breakdown
Record-Breaking Ravana Effigies Light Up Dussehra Celebrations Across North India
By Drooid · · How we work
The 221-Foot Spectacle in Panchkula
A 221-foot tall Ravana effigy—billed as the tallest in the Tricity region—was erected on the Shalimar Ground in Panchkula for Dussehra. Constructed over three months, it required 6.5 tonnes of iron, roughly 700 bamboo poles, about 5,000 m of velvet cloth, and a fibreglass face weighing around 3.5 quintals. The figure features a 40-foot shoe, a 50-foot sword and a remote-control system for the final burn. Around 3,000 eco-friendly crackers sourced from Sivakasi were positioned at 12 points for the pyrotechnics.
Scale, Cost and Security
Organisers estimate the overall event cost at roughly Rs 70 lakh, with Rs 40 lakh covering the Ravana structure alone. To protect the installation, about 100 bouncers, 12 security personnel and a police vehicle were deployed, and a 225-foot clearance zone was maintained. Vishnu Goel, chairman of the Mata Mansa Devi Development and Charitable Trust, said the security was prompted by an incident a year earlier that was narrowly averted.
Craftsmanship Behind the Giant
Tejinder Chauhan, a 59-year-old craftsman from Barara, leads a team of nearly 40 workers—including artisans from Barara and Agra—who assembled the effigy. Chauhan, who has built 41 Ravana figures and holds several Limca Book of Records entries, learned fireworks placement from an electrical technician and now handles that work himself.
Regional Highlights of Record-Size Effigies
- Ranchi, Jharkhand: 80-foot Ravana with 55-foot and 50-foot figures of Kumbhakarna and Meghnad.
- Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh: 90-foot Ravana on Parade Ground.
- Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh: Digital Ravana capable of moving its arms and legs, performing a 45-minute fireworks display.
- Delhi: Actor Yami Gautam performed the traditional Ravan Dahan, emphasizing cultural education for children.
Official Statements & Responses
- Jitendra Bhatia, chairman of the Shri Sanatan Dharma Dasehra Committee, noted that Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria would attend the Sector 46 event, where a 106-foot Ravana will also be burned.
On-the-Ground Perspectives
In Gurugram’s Sector 15, families set up temporary workshops to craft smaller Ravana effigies, earning between INR25,000 and INR60,000 during the season. Vinod Kumar, whose craft spans four generations, remarked, “It takes a family to make these,” and warned that “we have to carefully guard all the Ravanas, otherwise somebody can set fire to them ruining our entire month’s hard work.”
Data & Statistics
- 221 ft Ravana (Panchkula): 6.5 tonnes iron, ~700 bamboo poles, ~5,000 m velvet, 3.5 quintals fibreglass face.
- 3,000 eco-friendly crackers used.
- Security: 100 bouncers, 12 staff, police vehicle, 225-ft clearance zone.
- Event cost: ~Rs 70 lakh total; Rs 40 lakh for the Ravana.
- Other large effigies: 80 ft (Ranchi), 90 ft (Kanpur), 106 ft (Chandigarh), 70 ft (Lucknow digital).
Why It Matters
The construction of record-size Ravana effigies showcases a blend of traditional craftsmanship, modern engineering, and large-scale event management. The financial outlay and extensive security measures reflect the cultural importance of Dussehra across northern India and sustain regional livelihoods.
What’s Next
Organisers in several cities have announced plans for future high-tech displays, including AI-driven digital effigies and drone light shows, indicating an ongoing trend toward increasingly elaborate Dussehra celebrations.