Artisans in Jaipur and Bhopal prepare Ravana effigies for Dussehra

Preparations for the Dussehra festival are underway in Jaipur and Bhopal, with artisans crafting various sizes of Ravana effigies for the upcoming celebrations.

In Jaipur, the local Ravana market is seeing high activity, with effigies ranging from 1 foot to 40 feet in height. Approximately 1,500 to 2,000 effigies have already been prepared. Prices for these figures range from 300 rupees to 35,000 rupees. Artisans have noted that recent weather changes and rainfall have posed challenges to the production process, requiring them to protect the finished works from moisture.

In Bhopal, craftsmen are producing effigies ranging from 3 feet to 50 feet. Larger models intended for major public events can cost between 2 lakh and 3 lakh rupees. Artisans reported that while the rising costs of colored paper and other essential materials have impacted profit margins, there remains high enthusiasm for the festival. The construction process involves splitting bamboo to create frames, followed by intricate decoration with colored paper.