Valley celebrates return of Dussehra

“Today we burnt all the three effigies,” said Sanjay K Tickoo,one of the organisers of the event. “This is for the first time after a gap of 21 years that we organised this event,” he added. In 2007,the community had celebrated the event with only one effigy.

The three effigies were brought to Srinagar from Jammu on Sunday. The effigy of Ravana measured 40 ft while the other two were 35 ft high. The effigies were erected at the TRC ground on Monday,where last Monday,thousands of Muslims had gathered to offer the special Eid prayers.

Rishab,who was witnessing the event for the first time in his life,said he was happy to play the part of Lord Ram. Rishab was accompanied by Shashant,12,as Lakshman. Nine-year-old Rohan Sreen,sporting a tail,played the role of Hanuman. Sita was played by eight-year-old Sahil,who was dressed in a green sari.

For the generation that was born after the separatist violence erupted in the state in early nineties,it was for the first time they were witnessing such an event. “Today I feel good. This is for the first time I am seeing this,” said 13-year-old Varun Razdan. Varun,a student of standard IX,lives in the Shivpora locality of Srinagar. “I want this event to be organised every year. I want peace in Kashmir,” he said.

Razdan’s father,Ravi Razdan,who represents the community’s older generation,said it was a nostalgic moment for him and his friends. “It reminded us of our childhood. We were shouting like children,” said the 52-year-old businessman said.

The father-son duo was accompanied by Razdan’s friend Upinder Ambardar,54,who called this event a new start. “I hope it continues and continues for good and prosperity,” Ambardar said. “It has brought us back to the early times,” he said.