Dussehra 2024: President Droupadi Murmu, PM Modi to join festivities in Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan today

Dussehra 2024: President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the Dussehra festivities today in Delhi's Ramlila Maidan. The event is being organised by Shri Dharmik Leela Committee. Special Protection Group (SPG) has been deployed to manage the event with Delhi Police and ensure tight security during Dussehra celebrations.

Droupadi Murmu and PM Modi on Saturday took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to extend their wish on the occasion of Vijayadashmi.

President Murmu wrote, “On the auspicious occasion of Durga Puja, I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to all Indians living in India and abroad.” Meanwhile, PM Modi in a post on X said, “Best wishes to the countrymen on Vijayadashami. With the blessings of Maa Durga and Lord Shri Ram, I wish that all of you achieve victory in every sphere of life.”

According to General Secretary of Shri Dharmik Leela Committee, Dheeraj Dhar Gupta, the programme will commence at 5.30 pm on October 12. "Both the President and the Prime Minister are coming. Tomorrow, on the occasion of Dussehra, all three effigies will be burnt," ANI quoted Dheeraj Dhar Gupta as saying.

Pointing to the Navaratri celebrations that have been going on for the past 10 days, he asserted that this is our 101st year. He added, "All the programmes were conducted very well. Police authorities helped us to manage the event. Generally, the height of Ravana is 70 feet. Security has been heightened in view of the Prime Minister attending the event tomorrow," reported ANI.

At the same time, the organisers claimed that it took 4 months to prepare and install the tallest Ravan effigy in India, which is 211 feet high and is located in Sector 10 of Dwarka.

'Vijyayadashmi' or ‘Dussehra’ marks the end of the five-day festivities of Durga Puja and signifies the victory of good over evil. The practice of burning the effigies of Ravan traces back to the belief that Lord Rama killed Ravan on this day.

(With inputs from ANI)