Rangalila ready for Ravan Vadh

Warangal: ‘Ravana Vadh’, what started as a crusade nearly seven decades ago to withstand the atrocities of Razakars, has now become the pride of Ursu, Warangal.

Warangal city, which is known for its grandeur for celebrating the Bathukamma in the State is also equally famous for Ravan Vadh that symbolises the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana and Goddess Durga over Mahishasura on the occasion of Vijaya Dasami. It’s been over seven decades since the locals first organised the Ravan Vadh event at the Ursu Gutta.

In the beginning, the burning of Ravana effigy on Ursu Gutta was organised by the members of the Arya Samaj., However, the baton was passed on to Dasara Utsava Committee later. They used to torch the effigy of Ravana after the sighting of Indian roller, ‘palapitta’ in local parlance and other rituals.

Thereafter, people used to exchange the sacred Jammi (Prosopis cineraria) leaves along with the smithereens of Ravana effigy. The only change that occurred in all these decades regarding the burning of the effigy of Ravana which used to take place on the Ursu hillock and it is now happening downhill, called as Rangalila Maidan. It may be noted here that over the years, the organisers increased the size of the effigy – starting with 15-foot to this year’s 60-foot.

Speaking to The Hans India here on Friday, Utsava Committee secretary Nagapuri Venkata Swamy said: “The fiesta that started to ignite the oneness among the people yielded good results as it kept Razakars’ attacks at bay.

Carrying on the legacy, we are celebrating the festival every year with the same spirit.” The historical significance of the event at Rangalila Maidan is no less than that of one celebrated at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi, he said, disclosing the arrangements for Saturday’s grandeur that include a host of cultural activities.

Ganji Panchaiah of Karimbad region under Ursu revenue village carried the legacy for about four decades. Thereafter, the onus fell on his son Margam Shankar, who organised the event for about three decades. Then Vadnala Chandramouli headed the Utsav Committee for four years.

Meanwhile, a 60-foot paper-made idol of demon king Ravan effigy is ready at the Netaji Adarsha Parapathi Sangham building in Ursu, and it will be erected by Saturday afternoon after packing it with fire crackers.

Gullapelly Raj Kumar of Kasibugga, a fireworks expert, is in-charge of packing the fire crackers in the effigy. The ‘Ravan dahan’ will take place between 7.30 pm and 8.30 pm. The remote operated fireworks will be started by the Warangal Urban District Collector Amrapali Kata.