SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Oct 3: The historic Ravana Dahan of Sindri township, traditionally held on the occasion of Vijaya Dashmi, was cancelled on Thursday (October 2) after heavy rains lashed the region, soaking the giant effigy beyond repair. This marks only the fourth cancellation in the event’s 70-year history.
Organizing committee chairman Dinesh Kumar Singh said the 65-foot-high and 40-foot-wide Ravana effigy, made from bamboo and sack materials, was completely drenched. “If the weather improves today, we will burn it in the evening (Friday),” he added.
Despite the downpour, more than 20,000 people had gathered at the Saharpura Shiv Mandir premises but left disappointed when the programme was called off.
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Celebration’s Origins and Significance
The Sindri Ravana Dahan was first organised in 1954-55 by late businessman Chaman Lal Lamba and social activist Prabhunath Singh, father of current committee chairman Dinesh Kumar Singh. At that time, such celebrations were held only in Ranchi and Sindri in the then South Bihar region.
Over the years, the event became a major cultural attraction, drawing crowds of more than 50,000 every year. According to Sindri FCI VRS Employees Association president Sardar Sewa, people even travel from neighbouring districts and states, including West Bengal, to witness the spectacle.
Rare Cancellations in Seven Decades
Since its inception, the Sindri Ravana Dahan has been cancelled only four times in 70 years. The first cancellation was in 1991 following the death of Jharia MLA Surdeo Singh. The second came in 2017 after the demise of founder Prabhunath Singh, while the third occurred in 2020-21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thursday’s downpour led to the fourth such cancellation.
Traditionally, Jharia MLA Surdeo Singh inaugurated the event from 1977 until his death. Since then, members of his family, including ex-MLAs Kunti Devi (wife) and Sanjeev Singh (son), continued the practice. This year, Jharia MLA Ragini Singh, daughter-in-law of Surdeo Singh, was scheduled to perform the inauguration.
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Ravana Dahan at Dhanbad Club Goes Ahead
While Sindri’s celebrations were halted, the Ravana Dahan at Dhanbad Club went ahead despite the inclement weather. The function was inaugurated by the club’s designated president and Dhanbad Deputy Commissioner, Aditya Ranjan, ensuring that the festive spirit of Vijaya Dashmi was not entirely dampened by the rains.
