# Communal Harmony in Ajmer as Muslim Craftsmen from Fatehpur Sikri Craft 65-Foot Remote-Controlled Ravana Effigy

> Artisan Zakir Ahmad and his family from Uttar Pradesh are giving final touches to a 65-foot tech-enabled Ravana and 45-foot effigies of Kumbhakarna and Meghnada for Ajmer's Dussehra festival.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Rajasthan · **Published:** 2026-10-05 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/rajasthan/ajmer-ke-patel-maidan-men-dikhegi-gnga-jamuni-tahajiba-fatehpur-sikri-ke-muslima-parivara-ne-taiyara-kiya-rimota-se-urane-vale-sir-43092 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Ajmer Dussehra, Patel Ground, Ravana Dahan, Fatehpur Sikri, Zakir Ahmad, Ganga Jamuni Tehzeeb, Communal Harmony

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.

## What this means for you
The Dussehra celebrations and technologically upgraded effigy-burning program in Ajmer offer clear local and cultural benefits for festival visitors and residents.

- **Across Rajasthan:** The collaboration provides an inspiring example of interfaith harmony and traditional craftsmanship during major festive gatherings. It reinforces public appreciation for artisans traveling from other states to contribute to local traditions.
- **In Ajmer:** Visitors gathering at Patel Ground will witness mechanical effects including moving limbs and remote-controlled pyrotechnics during the effigy burning. Attendees should anticipate security cordons and crowd management protocols set up by the municipal corporation.
- **For Local Fairgoers:** Families and festival crowds will find enhanced entertainment alongside traditional street markets surrounding Patel Ground. Visitors should plan travel early to secure designated parking and unobstructed viewing spots.
- **For Traditional Artisans:** Integrating remote control and mechanical movement into centuries-old folk crafts creates broader commercial appeal for traveling artisan families. It opens up opportunities for artisans to secure higher-value festive commissions across northern India.

## Why this happened
The participation of artisans from Uttar Pradesh in Ajmer's Dussehra preparations is rooted in long-standing artisan contracts and evolving technical demands for public spectacles.

- **Generational Craft Expertise:** Zakir Ahmad's family has traveled to Ajmer for multiple consecutive years to construct festival effigies for the municipal authority. Their proven track record ensures high-quality structures capable of withstanding outdoor conditions.
- **Demand for Mechanical Features:** As public expectations for festival entertainment rise, organizers seek advanced elements like remote-controlled detonation and motorized movements. Meeting these specifications required three full months of advance fabrication in Fatehpur Sikri.
- **Enduring Cultural Synergy:** Indian festival traditions have historically relied on intercommunal cooperation, with skilled Muslim craftsmen frequently shaping decorative items for Hindu observances. This long-standing cultural custom continues seamlessly in Ajmer's annual festivities.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. What is the height of the Ravana effigy being constructed in Ajmer?
The primary Ravana effigy at Patel Ground is being built to a height of approximately 65 feet.

### 2. How tall are the effigies of Kumbhakarna and Meghnada?
The accompanying effigies of Kumbhakarna and Meghnada are approximately 45 feet tall each.

### 3. Who is responsible for constructing these festive effigies?
Lead artisan Zakir Ahmad and his family members from Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh, are crafting the effigies.

### 4. What unique mechanical features are included in this year's Ravana effigy?
The effigy will feature blinking eyes, a moving sword, and embers emerging from its mouth.

### 5. How will Ravana's ten heads be detonated during the event?
A remote control mechanism will be used to launch the ten heads into the air sequentially.

### 6. How long have preparations been underway for these effigies?
Preparatory work and structural fabrication had been underway for three months in Fatehpur Sikri prior to arriving in Ajmer.

## Inspiration & Lessons
The dedication of Zakir Ahmad and his relatives offers practical lessons in collaborative craftsmanship, familial teamwork, and bridging social divides through shared labor.

- **Unifying Power of Craft:** Dedicating months of labor to an interfaith festival demonstrates that art and collective culture transcend communal boundaries. Respecting diverse traditions strengthens broader social cohesion and mutual trust.
- **Strength of Family Collaboration:** Dividing complex construction duties among family members highlights how coordinated division of labor achieves massive milestones. Shared dedication turns multi-month manual projects into seamless executions.
- **Embracing Modern Innovation:** Incorporating remote-control switches and animated mechanisms into traditional bamboo effigies proves that folk traditions thrive when embracing modern technology. Continual learning and adaptation enhance the value of hereditary skills.

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