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Kota Dussehra Mela 2026: Om Birla watches 105-ft Ravan burn at the 133rd National Dussehra Fair

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The Kota Dussehra Mela reached its high point on Vijayadashami, 20 October 2026, when a 105-foot effigy of Ravan was set alight before huge crowds at the 133rd National Dussehra Fair, the Rajasthan government’s DIPR said. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla was the chief guest at the main ceremony.

Kota Dussehra Mela: Rituals at the main ceremony of the 133rd National Dussehra Mela in Kota
Rituals at the main ceremony of the 133rd National Dussehra Mela in Kota Photo: DIPR Rajasthan (official handout, free to use with credit).

Om Birla at the Kota Dussehra Mela

Education Minister Madan Dilawar, Energy Minister Hiralal Nagar, local MLA Sandeep Sharma, Kalpana Devi, Indian Red Cross Society state president Rajesh Birla, district president Rakesh Jain and wrestling federation president Rajeev Dutta attended as special guests. Kota Mayor Anusuiya Goswami, Deputy Mayor Vivek Rajvanshi and fair officer O. P. Mehra welcomed the guests. Addressing the gathering, Birla greeted the people of the state and said the fair is a day to bring Lord Ram’s high ideals into one’s own life. He called the National Dussehra Mela part of an ancient and proud cultural heritage, and said the Ramayana and Ramlila performances give people a chance to understand Lord Ram’s character closely. He added that everyone would work together to take the historic fair to greater heights in the coming years.

Key Facts

  • Edition: 133rd National Dussehra Mela, Kota
  • Date: 20 October 2026 (Vijayadashami)
  • Effigies: Ravan 105 ft; Kumbhakaran and Meghnad 72 ft each
  • Ravan fire began: 8:34 pm
  • Chief guest: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla

How the Ravan Dahan unfolded, minute by minute

Before the burning, Ijyaraj Singh, former Maharao of the Kota royal family, performed the traditional Jwara puja and a special puja on the ground. Following custom, he then shot an arrow that pierced the “nabhi kalash”, which signalled the start of the burning of Ravan’s clan. The Kumbhakaran effigy caught fire at 8:24 pm and burned for about six minutes. Flames appeared on Meghnad’s sword at 8:30 pm, and that effigy had burnt down by 8:34 pm. At 8:34 pm the sword and then the shield of the Ravan effigy caught fire, and chants of “Jai Shri Ram” rose as the navel wheel spun. Ravan’s heads began bursting one by one until 8:38 pm, and within minutes the whole effigy was reduced to ashes, DIPR said.

Guests at the Ravan Dahan ceremony on the Dussehra ground in Kota
Guests at the Ravan Dahan ceremony on the Dussehra ground in Kota Photo: DIPR Rajasthan (official handout, free to use with credit).

Green fireworks and a 45-minute show

This year’s Ravan stood 105 feet tall, while the Kumbhakaran and Meghnad effigies were 72 feet each. Only green fireworks were used in the Ravan effigy, so the burning was pollution-free and eco-friendly, according to the release. Blasts in Ravan’s umbrella, crown, carvings, shield and shoulders thrilled the audience, and the vanar sena recited the Hanuman Chalisa beforehand. A colourful fireworks display from the Shri Ram Rangmanch then lasted about three-quarters of an hour and lit up the Dussehra ground. Crowds filled the fair from morning, and under tight security, visitors from Kota city, distant villages and other states watched the event, with many recording it on their phones.

Why It Matters: Kota's Dussehra fair is one of Rajasthan's biggest festival events and draws visitors from across the region. The switch to green fireworks shows how big public celebrations are trying to cut smoke and noise.

Also on TrendDesh: Vijayadashami 2026: Bhajanlal Sharma greets Rajasthan after Kanya Pujan at Raj Rajeshwari temple · Alwar Tiger Marathon website launched for 7 February 2027 race, tiger and bird festivals announced

Source: DIPR Rajasthan (Kota), 20 Oct 2026 · DIPR Rajasthan (Kota), 19 Oct 2026 · Kota district administration

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