Ramlila postponed, Rawan Dahan continues

By Our Correspondent,Nepalgunj, Sept. 24: Although the historic Ramlila, which has been staged in Nepalgunj for the past 157 years during Dashain, has been postponed this year, the Rawan Dahan fair will still be organised.

Santosh Kumar Kanodiya, president of the Ramlila Organising Committee, said that, considering the peace and security concerns due to Gen Z protests, which led to anti-corruption protests, the Ramlila performance has been postponed this year, but the Rawan Dahan fair will continue as usual.

He added that even though the Ramlila, which is usually staged from Ghatasthapana to Bijayadashami between 7 PM to 12 AM at the Ramlila ground, will not take place this time, the fair for Rawan Dahan, which happens during the daytime on Dashain, will be organised.

According to a public notice released by the Ramlila Organising Committee, the fair will be held on October 2 from 1 PM to 7 PM at the local Ramlila ground, during which Rawan will be burned.

Since thousands of people are expected to attend the fair, the committee has also requested the local police and administration to make proper security arrangements. The Ramlila, which has been staged every year, was postponed for two consecutive years during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 According to Aditya Gupta, publicity minister of the Ramlila Organising Committee, this time, the situation is not normal, and a night-time curfew is still in place, making it impossible to stage Ramlila. The Ramlila usually includes performances of Dhanush Yagya, Rawan Badh, Bharat Milan, and Ram’s coronation (Shubha Rajyabhishek).

The preparations for Rawan Dahan and the fair have already begun, the committee said.