80-Foot Ravana to Go Up in Flames as kataka Celebrates Vijayadashami
kataka: The Silver City is all set to witness one of Odisha’s most celebrated Dussehra traditions as the 36th edition of the Ravan Podi Festival is scheduled to take place at Talabali Jatra Ground on Wednesday night.
Organised by the Barabati Sarbadharma Sanskritika Parishad, the annual festival is expected to draw thousands of spectators for the symbolic burning of an approximately 80-foot-tall Ravana effigy, a ritual representing the triumph of good over evil.
The much-awaited Ravana Dahan is slated to be held around midnight and will be accompanied by a spectacular fireworks display, which remains one of the biggest attractions of the event each year.
To accommodate the anticipated crowd, organisers have made seating arrangements for nearly 10,000 visitors.
A series of cultural performances featuring artists from different parts of Odisha will entertain audiences throughout the evening before the ceremonial burning of the effigy.
The festival is expected to be attended by several dignitaries, including Manmohan Samal, President of the Odisha BJP, who is likely to participate as the chief guest.
The celebration coincides with Vijayadashami observances across the state, where devotees are offering traditional rituals and prayers to Goddess Durga.
Similar Ravana Dahan events are also being organised in Bhubaneswar, with authorities taking extensive security measures to ensure the safe conduct of the festivities.
As Cuttack prepares for the grand spectacle, residents and visitors alike are expected to gather in large numbers to witness the vibrant cultural celebration that has become a hallmark of the city’s Dussehra festivities.
