Dehradun has started gearing up for Dussehra as artisans have begun crafting effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghnath. This year, Ravana will be showcased in special costumes sourced from Surat. With Ganesh Utsav celebrations over, the city markets are now abuzz with preparations for Navratri and Dussehra, while effigy-making has picked up pace.
In Patel Nagar, craftsman Shalu from Muzaffarnagar, who has been making Ravana effigies in Dehradun for 25 years, has started work with his team from September 4. He said that to give Ravana a distinct appearance, costumes have been specially ordered from Surat. The effigies being made range in height from 25 to 60 feet, with costs varying between Rs 25,000 and Rs 1 lakh depending on the size.
The structures are being built using bamboo supplied from Assam. Shalu mentioned that the material is ordered weeks in advance, but this year bamboo prices have gone up by nearly 20 percent, raising production expenses. Despite the added costs, the preparations remain on schedule, and the city is set to celebrate Dussehra with grandeur.
