Cockroach Effigies to Burn Alongside Ravana in Delhi and Muzaffarnagar
This Dussehra, Muzaffarnagar and Delhi will burn cockroach effigies alongside Ravana to symbolize filth and instability.
This year's Dussehra celebrations in Muzaffarnagar and Delhi are taking an unconventional turn. While the traditional burning of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghnad remains the centerpiece, organizers have introduced a new addition to the pyre: the cockroach effigies Dussehra spectacle, symbolizing the destruction of societal evils and filth.
Muzaffarnagar: Targeting National Instability
In Muzaffarnagar, the Shri Ram Seva Dal is breaking tradition by commissioning a 15-foot cockroach effigy. According to the organizers, this figure represents the forces that create instability within the nation. This move is part of a long-standing practice by the Ram Leela Committee to burn an additional effigy every year to highlight a specific social or global menace. In previous years, the committee has targeted issues such as terrorism, corruption, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The scale of the celebration in Muzaffarnagar remains massive, with the primary effigies towering over the crowd:
- Ravana: 60 feet
- Kumbhakarna: 55 feet
- Meghnad: 50 feet
To ensure the event proceeds without incident, Muzaffarnagar City Superintendent of Police Amrit Jain conducted a thorough inspection of the Numaish Ground on October 16, 2026. The security review focused on fire safety protocols, traffic management, and overall crowd control to handle the expected influx of devotees.
Delhi: A Message of Cleanliness
Meanwhile, in the Pitampura area of Delhi, the Shri Keshav Ramlila Committee is preparing a 30-foot cockroach effigy. BJP MLA and Committee President Ashok Goel Devaraha explained that the cockroach is a symbol of filth. By burning it, the committee aims to promote the message of cleanliness, aligning the celebration with the goals of the Swachh Bharat and Swachh Delhi campaigns.
While Mr. Devaraha emphasized that the move is not driven by a political agenda, the symbolism has sparked various interpretations. Some reports suggest the choice of a cockroach may be linked to the recent NEET paper leak protests, where the term 'cockroaches' was pejoratively used to describe students.
The Order of the Flame
The sequence of the burning ceremony in Delhi has been carefully planned to build momentum. The festivities will begin with the incineration of the cockroach effigy, followed by the burning of Meghnad and Kumbhakarna, culminating in the dramatic destruction of the ten-headed Ravana.