Cover Story - Dassehra Mela

Kota is known for its Dassehra celebration and the Dassehra Mela. The splendour is as rich as that of Kullu or Mysore. More than 75 feet tall effigies of the demons Ravana, Kumbhakarana and Meghnath are burnt on Dussehra day symbolising the victory of good over evil. Major attractions for the children, in these enactments, are the Vanar Senas or the monkey forces, headed by the monkey God Hanuman. The air resounds with slogans in praise of Lord Rama. Huge effigies of the vanquished Ravana along with his brother Kumbhkarana and his son Meghnath, made of paper & bamboo and stuffed with crackers are set alight.

This festival is celebrated all over the country but the Kota Dussehra is quite unique for it marks more than just the beginning of a festive period. Villagers gather here dressed in multicoloured clothes to offer prayers to Lord Rama and to celebrate his victory over Ravana. The people who visited the Dassehra of 1960 were astonished to see the huge effigies of Ravana.

Rich in courtly splendour and age old traditions, the Dussehra festival here is marked by a glittering procession, which attracts thousands from the surrounding villages. Maharao Durjan Singhji II started the tradition of Royal procession.

Like all festivals in Rajasthan, it provides a good opportunity to the traders to display their attractive wares to the rural and urban buyers. Major industries and Business groups put up their exhibition stalls and try to attract buyers with their new schemes. Food shops, chat centers, household products, games and shows, are all a big part of this fair. Prominent artists from all over the country are invited to participate in cultural programs held as a part of the mela. Be it dance or song recitals, poetry competitions or Mushayras, they enthrall the huge audience with their performances. And who can forget the 'Maut Ka kuan' or the 'laughing mirrors', the 'dog show' and the 'magic shows', and ofcourse the 'Circus'. The hot hot 'jalebis', 'Gobbi ke pakorey', 'gulab jamun', 'chole bhatture', ice-cream softy, and the all time favourite 'Churan wali Dukan', the whole atmosphere is festive and mouth watering. The entire affair lasts for about a fortnight, with 'Dhanteras' being the official last day of the fair.




In The Magazine > Cover Story > Dassehra Mela

		Kota is known for its Dassehra celebration and the Dassehra Mela. The splendour is as rich as that of Kullu or Mysore. More than 75 feet tall effigies of the demons Ravana, Kumbhakarana and Meghnath are burnt on Dussehra day symbolising the victory of good over evil. Major attractions for the children, in these enactments, are the Vanar Senas or the monkey forces, headed by the monkey God Hanuman. The air resounds with slogans in praise of Lord Rama. Huge effigies of the vanquished Ravana along with his brother Kumbhkarana and his son Meghnath, made of paper & bamboo and stuffed with crackers are set alight. This festival is celebrated all over the country but the Kota Dussehra is quite unique for it marks more than just the beginning of a festive period. Villagers gather here dressed in multicoloured clothes to offer prayers to Lord Rama and to celebrate his victory over Ravana. The people who visited the Dassehra of 1960 were astonished to see the huge effigies of Ravana. Rich in courtly splendour and age old traditions, the Dussehra festival here is marked by a glittering procession, which attracts thousands from the surrounding villages. Maharao Durjan Singhji II started the tradition of Royal procession. Like all festivals in Rajasthan, it provides a good opportunity to the traders to display their attractive wares to the rural and urban buyers. Major industries and Business groups put up their exhibition stalls and try to attract buyers with their new schemes. Food shops, chat centers, household products, games and shows, are all a big part of this fair. Prominent artists from all over the country are invited to participate in cultural programs held as a part of the mela. Be it dance or song recitals, poetry competitions or Mushayras, they enthrall the huge audience with their performances. And who can forget the 'Maut Ka kuan' or the 'laughing mirrors', the 'dog show' and the 'magic shows', and ofcourse the 'Circus'. The hot hot 'jalebis', 'Gobbi ke pakorey', 'gulab jamun', 'chole bhatture', ice-cream softy, and the all time favourite 'Churan wali Dukan', the whole atmosphere is festive and mouth watering. The entire affair lasts for about a fortnight, with 'Dhanteras' being the official last day of the fair.



































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