The historic Patel Ground in Rajasthan's religious city of Ajmer is gearing up for grand Vijayadashami festivities organized by the local municipal corporation, serving as a powerful testament to shared cultural bonds. Final preparations are underway to stage the traditional burning of massive effigies representing Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghnada to mark the triumph of good over evil. Behind these colossal structures stands a dedicated team of Muslim craftsmen from Fatehpur Sikri in Uttar Pradesh, whose involvement showcases deep communal unity and the enduring spirit of Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb.
Three Months of Preparation in Fatehpur Sikri
Lead artisan Zakir Ahmad explained that meticulous planning went into preparing these massive effigies well ahead of the festival date. The raw structural frames and preliminary decorative work had been progressing for the past three months at their native village in Fatehpur Sikri. Once the foundational components were ready, the vast majority of the required construction material was transported directly to Ajmer inside multiple trucks. Zakir Ahmad and his crew arrived at the venue five days ago, assembling the towering bamboo lattices and applying decorative paper and fabric on site.
Massive Proportions: 65-Foot Ravana Flanked by 45-Foot Effigies
Visitors gathering at Patel Ground will witness effigies built to impressive proportions. According to Zakir Ahmad, the central effigy of Ravana stands approximately 65 feet tall, dominating the skyline of the grounds. Alongside the demon king, the effigies of Kumbhakarna and Meghnada are being erected at a height of nearly 45 feet each. To make the gigantic figures visible and striking even from a great distance, the artisans are dressing the bamboo scaffolds in vibrant, reflective papers and bright fabrics after days of continuous manual labor.
Mechanical Features: Blinking Eyes, Flaming Mouth, and a Moving Sword
This edition of the effigy-burning ceremony incorporates several unique mechanical elements rarely seen in conventional setups. The artisans have engineered moving components inside Ravana so that the effigy appears to blink its eyes at the gathered crowd. Furthermore, internal mechanisms will enable the figure to brandish a giant sword held in its hands. As the countdown to the burning begins, spectators will also witness burning embers and sparks emerging directly from Ravana's mouth, adding heightened visual drama to the celebration.
Remote Control Trigger to Launch Ten Heads into the Sky
Pyrotechnic sequencing has also been upgraded this season using remote-controlled ignition mechanisms. Rather than relying solely on conventional fuses, Zakir Ahmad's team has rigged the structure with electronic triggers. At the touch of a remote control button, Ravana's ten individual heads will ignite sequentially and launch into the air one after another. This synchronized aerial sequence is designed to serve as the standout highlight of the evening for the thousands of families attending the fair.
Generations of Family Artisans Working Together
The entire endeavor is a closely coordinated family trade that has brought Zakir Ahmad's household to Ajmer across multiple generations. Responsibilities across the worksite are divided systematically among relatives. While some family members concentrate on binding and anchoring the structural framework against heavy winds, others take charge of precision tasks such as paper pasting, color coordination, and painting. Working around the clock, the family ensures all three giant figures will stand fully prepared and decorated in time for the Dussehra celebrations.
