Ramlila celebrations in the Capital culminated on Sunday evening with the customary burning of the effigies of Ravana, Meghnad and Kumbhakaran.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi attended the celebrations at the two main Dussehra venues of Subhas Maidan and Ramlila Grounds.
Delhiites from across the city thronged both the venues to take part in an age-old tradition.
Even the rain earlier in the day did not have any impact on their enthusiasm as they turned up in impressive numbers.
Dr. Singh and Ms.Gandhi first went to Subhas Maidan, where President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice-President Hamid Ansari were also present, as was Humza Yousaf, the External Affairs Minister of Scotland and a special invitee. After the conclusion of the final act of Ramlila where Ravana, the demon king, is killed by Lord Ram, Ms.Gandhi held the symbolic arrow.
Meanwhile, excited crowds at Ramlila Grounds were left spellbound by a show of fireworks that illuminated the entire sky. Familiar chants of “ Bolo Ram Chandra ki jai! ” filled the air.
The Prime Minister and Ms. Gandhi, along with her daughter Priyanka Gandhi, son-in-law Robert Vadra and their children, left for Ramlila Grounds around 6 p.m.
As they reached there, Member of Parliament Jai Prakash Agarwal, who is also the chief patron of the Ramlila Organising Committee, welcomed them and thanked them for being a part of the celebrations.
