Sangli has festival of lights on Dussehra

Diwali is the festival of lights all over India, but in Sangli Dussehra is celebrated in a similar manner.

By Robin David

Sangli (Maharashtra), Oct.23 : Diwali is the festival of lights all over India, but in Sangli Dussehra is celebrated in a similar manner.

People from far off places arrive here to witness the magnificent celebrations of Dussehra with firecrackers. This practice has been followed for over a hundred years. The ostensible reason is that they would like to celebrate the killing of demon King Ravana by Lord Rama on this day.

"The night-long bursting of firecrackers draws people from all over Maharashtra to enjoy the spectacle. This is the pride of our village. This festival is being celebrated since many years", said Ramchandra Thorat, a member of local governing body.

People from all communities dance and indulge in revelry through out the night. There is brilliance and sparkle everywhere. People from all communities participate in the celebrations.

Organised by over 400 small organising committees or Mandals, the firecrackers used are prepared by villagers themselves at the village with no technical or financial support from outside.

"There are 400-500 mandals (small organizing committees) who manage their own expenses. The estimated cost is about rupees 100 million," said P.B.Chavan, a member of the firework organising committee.

People here take several precautions during the fireworks display and take pride in the fact that no untoward incident has ever happened.

ANI