When Salt Lake Sanskritik Sansad & Sanmarg celebrated East India’s largest Dussehra in Central Park, Salt Lake, the City of Joy witnessed a glittering celebration of the everlasting victory of good over evil. In front of a cheering audience of more than 25,000 devotees and tourists, a magnificent 60-foot Ravana effigy, together with 50-foot effigies of Meghnad and Kumbhakaran, was set ablaze during the 13th edition of this colorful celebration. The festivities upheld the age-old notion that good triumphs over evil while providing residents with a lively stage on which to celebrate Kolkata’s rich cultural heritage.

The event was attended by Sri. Sujit Bose, Minister of State for Fire, Smt. Krishna Chakraborty, Mayor of Bidhannagar, Sri. Mukesh Kumar, Commissioner of Police, Bidhannagar, Sri. Sanjay Agarwal, President of Salt Lake Sanskritik  Sansad, Sri. Lalit Beriwala, Chairman of the Trust Board of Salt Lake Sanskritik Sansad, Sri. Pradeep Todi, IPP of Salt Lake Sanskritik Sansad,  Sri. Amit Poddar, Secretary of Salt Lake Sanskritik Sansad, Sri. Ashok Todi, Managing Director of Lux Cozi, Sri. Mukesh Chhabra, Indian Casting Director and Filmmaker, Smt. Payel Mukherjee, Tollywood Actress, Sri. Sandeep Bhattacharya, Tollywood actors – Payel Mukherjee and Sandeep Bhattacharya & many others.

Sri. Sanjay Agarwal, President of Salt Lake Sanskritik  Sansad, said, “Our goal has always been to combine community service with devotion. We celebrate the spirit of Dussehra with this festival and use the occasion to advocate for social causes, including healthcare, education, and humanitarian endeavors for the poor. This is a celebration of culture, solidarity, and compassion rather than merely a festival”.

The much-anticipated Ras Garba & Dandiya Night at the Bidhan Nagar Mela Ground in Central Park kicked off the celebrations on October 1st, bringing people together to celebrate via traditional forms of Garba and Dandiya dancing.

The mood of the Dussehra celebrations was set by this exuberant prelude, which promoted happiness, solidarity, and cultural pride.

Priyanka Dutta