Ludhiana: As the last rituals of Shradh Paksh gave way to the planting of khetri and the establishment of kalash Saturday evening, Ludhiana slipped into festive mode ahead of Navratri. Over the next nine days, the city will resonate with temple chants, nightly Ram Leela performances, colourful processions, fairs, garba and dandiya events, culminating in Dussehra celebrations on Oct 20 when effigies of Ravana will go up in flames across the city.Residents bid farewell to their ancestors on the final day of Shradh Paksh before welcoming Goddess Durga into their homes. Many families planted barley sprouts and performed kalash sthapana, marking the beginning of a nine-day period of worship and fasting.Across Ludhiana, Ram Leela and Dussehra committees have completed preparations, while temples are receiving their final festive touch-ups to welcome devotees. From traditional religious observances to large community gatherings, the celebrations are expected to draw thousands of people over the coming days.At Daresi, the Sri Ram Leela and Dussehra Committee has planned traditional festivities, including a daily dola yatra during Navratri. The historic Daresi fair, considered among the city’s oldest, began on Oct 1 and is already witnessing a steady inflow of visitors.Dinesh Marwaha of the committee said the procession would pass through old city markets every day, beginning from Thakur Dwara and allowing devotees to seek blessings of Lord Ram, Sita, Laxman and Hanuman.“We organise Dussehra in accordance with traditional customs and rituals. The highlight this year will be the towering effigy of Ravana. Before Dussehra, the dola yatra will be taken out on all nine days of Navratri, keeping the religious significance of the festival alive,” he said.At Sarabha Nagar, the Sri Ram Leela and Dussehra Committee has arranged nightly Ram Leela performances at the ground adjoining Durga Mata Mandir. The programme will culminate in a fair on Dussehra, with organisers saying all arrangements have been put in place.In Rajguru Nagar, the Sri Ram Leela and Dussehra Committee has planned a 10-day fair along with nightly enactments from the Ramayana. Committee chairman Sunil Kapoor said the festivities would conclude with the burning of effigies of Ravana, Meghnath and Kumbhkaran.“Ram Leela remains a major attraction for people, and artists will perform every night. The fair will continue for 10 days, giving residents an opportunity to participate in the festivities,” Kapoor said.Temples decked up for devoteesWhile public celebrations gather momentum, temples across the city are preparing for a surge in footfall. Devotees are gearing up to observe fasts, offer prayers and seek the blessings of Goddess Durga in her various forms. Special prayers have been planned for Ashtami and Navmi, which traditionally draw large congregations.Bengali community to host Durga PujaAdding a distinct cultural flavour to the festive calendar, the Bengali community in Ludhiana, under the banner of Bangiya Samsad, will organise Durga Puja celebrations. Community members will come together for traditional rituals, cultural events and collective worship, carrying forward age-old customs while living away from their native places.
