The festival of Dussehra was celebrated with great enthusiasm and zeal . The exuberant and vibrant festivities of Dussehra are celebrated in many different ways across the country based on various regional and cultural legends attached with it. In North India, it marks the occasion of Lord Sri Rama’s victory over the demon king of Lanka, Ravana in a war to rescue his wife Sita. In East India, it is celebrated to commemorate the victory of Goddess Durga over a demon named Mahishasura.
# Draw an image of the Asura King on a cardboard or waste paper. The images of Raavan can be found online or in story books, so select one that you find appealing and complete a full figure sketch.
# Take three long sturdy sticks that are about 2 feet in length. The stick’s length can be bigger if you are looking to make a bigger effigy, but in that case you would need a bigger drawing on cardboard.
# Take two sticks and form a cross, with the third one placed a little below the horizontal beam. You can also employ sturdy cardboard cut-outs to make the frame. Stick the main pole into a planter filled with mud for support.
# Use a rope or twine to tie the sticks together. Raavan has 10 heads so draw a face and photocopy it ten times. Paint it colourfully and stick the ten heads on the first horizontal beam, side by side.
# The second horizontal beam is for the arms. You can use cardboard cut-outs to make arms. The vertical stick will hold the main torso and legs.
# After the whole figure is complete, tie a string of crackers around all three poles. Use old newspapers to make Raavan’s belly. They will also act as fuel the flames.
# After the tying the crackers, stick a clean sheet of paper and paint on the body of Raavan. You can use elaborate colors and designs for the ornaments and dress.
# Once the painting is complete, the effigy is ready to be fixed and burned down.