This year, the much-loved Ramlila festivities have once again brought their enchanting spectacle to Delhi and numerous other Indian cities. These vibrant dance dramas, portraying the epic tale of ‘Shri Ram,’ are a cherished cultural highlight during the Dussehra celebrations. Across the country, various organizations meticulously craft unique interpretations of the Ramlila. The festival itself is a riot of colors, from the intricate stage designs to the colossal effigies and the bustling stalls of street food vendors. This age-old theatrical art form beautifully narrates the mythological journey of Lord Ram, culminating in the dramatic burning of the demon king Ravana’s effigy, symbolizing the victory of righteousness.
The beloved Ramlila makes its grand return to the capital city. Here, the effigy of Ravana burns brightly on the tenth day of Dussehra at the Red Fort in New Delhi, captured on October 02, 2025.
Amidst a light rainfall, crowds gather for a vibrant procession. Children, beautifully adorned as Lord Ram, Lord Lakshman, Lord Bharat, and Lord Shatrughan, reenact the emotional ‘Bharat Milap’ – the reunion of brothers after Rama’s 14-year exile – in the Nati Imli area of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, on October 3, 2025.
Artists embody Lord Ram and his brother Lakshman during a ceremonial event in Amritsar on October 2, 2025, where the effigy of the demon king Ravana is set ablaze, marking the grand finale of the Dussehra festival. The dramatic dance-drama, ‘Shri Ram,’ remains a cultural cornerstone in many cities during these celebrations.
President Droupadi Murmu, wielding a bow and arrow, participates in the Dussehra Festival celebrations at Shri Dharmik Leela in New Delhi on October 2, 2025. The President drew parallels between the symbolism of Dussehra and India’s ongoing battle against terrorism, likening the armed forces’ ‘Operation Sindoor’ to a triumph over the ‘Ravana of terrorism.’
Artists perform a segment of the ‘Ramlila’ as part of the ongoing celebrations in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on September 29, 2025. Numerous organizations across various cities present their unique interpretations of the Ramlila.
An artist captivatingly portrays Lord Ram during the Broadway Ramlila in New Delhi on October 2, 2025. Interestingly, foreign visitors also flock to Delhi’s Dussehra festivities to immerse themselves in the rich cultural “experience of India.”
In an image from October 2, 2025, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta is seen holding a bow and arrow, preparing to ignite the effigy of the demon king Ravana, signaling the conclusion of the Dussehra festival at PU block Ramlila Ground, Pitampura, New Delhi.
The impressive effigies of Ravana, Meghnath, and Kumbhakaran, meticulously crafted by the Luv Kush Ramlila Committee, stand tall at the Red Fort in New Delhi on October 1, 2025, just a day before the Dussehra Festival.
An breathtaking aerial view captures devotees taking a sacred dip during the ‘Navratri’ festival at Sangam, the revered confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on September 22, 2025. The 10-day Dussehra festival truly offers a remarkable window into India’s rich multi-cultural tapestry, revealing its profound religious and spiritual dimensions.
An artist diligently works on preparing the elaborate effigies in Jammu on September 27, 2025, in anticipation of the Dussehra festival. Giant, intricately designed effigies of the 10-headed demon king Ravana, along with his son Meghnad and brother Kumbhakaran, are a hallmark of the festival, brought to life by skilled artisans.
People participate enthusiastically in a religious procession in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on September 25, 2025, leading up to the Dussehra festival. The festival bursts with color, from the elaborate stagecraft and towering effigies to the myriad hawkers selling festive food items, creating an unforgettable atmosphere.
Young women are seen engrossed in reciting verses from the sacred ‘Ramayana’ on the second day of the ‘Navratri’ festival celebrations in Ranchi, Jharkhand, on September 23, 2025.
Artists perform the captivating ‘Swayamvar’ episode of the ‘Ramlila’ during the ‘Navratri’ festival in Prayagraj on September 23, 2025. This traditional 10-day Ramlila beautifully narrates the epic saga of the mythological king Lord Ram, culminating in the symbolic Raavan Dahan.
Devotees, some dressed as Lord Hanuman and his devoted ‘sena’ (army), enthusiastically participate in a religious procession as part of the annual Langur Mela during the Navratri festival in Amritsar on September 23, 2025. Similar vibrant religious processions are a common sight in various other cities as well.
A magnificent, towering statue of Lord Hanuman stands proudly at the entrance of a distinctive Durga Puja Pandal in Bhaskarnagar, during the ongoing Durga Puja festival celebrations in Guwahati on September 28, 2025.