Vijayadashami 2026: Delhi Ramlila Adds Giant 30 feet Cockroach Effigy to Ravana Dahan

New Delhi: Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnad will have an unusual companion this Dussehra—a towering 30-foot cockroach effigy. A Ramlila committee in Delhi’s Pitampura is preparing to burn the giant structure alongside the three traditional effigies on Vijayadashami, adding an unconventional twist to the festival celebrations.

The Shri Keshav Ramlila Committee has chosen the cockroach as a symbol of filth and poor sanitation, linking the initiative to the Swachh Bharat and Swachh Delhi cleanliness campaigns. Committee president and BJP MLA Ashok Goel has reportedly maintained that the move carries no political message and is intended to promote public awareness about cleanliness.

Fourth Effigy With a Social Message

Unlike the traditional characters of the Ramayana, the additional effigy is designed to highlight a contemporary civic concern. Reports describe a colourful, human-like figure with a moustache and a black cockroach crawling up its chest. The structure is being prepared using bamboo and coloured paper.

The committee has reportedly used its fourth effigy in previous years to highlight issues such as terrorism and Naxalism. This year, the focus has shifted to filth and sanitation, giving the familiar Ravana Dahan spectacle a different social dimension.

Cockroach Janata Party Adds a Political Twist

The unusual announcement has also drawn attention amid protests by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which has raised allegations concerning electoral-roll revision and demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The coincidence has fuelled speculation about a possible political undertone, though the organisers have denied any political motive.

The effigy-burning event is scheduled for Vijayadashami on October 20 at Netaji Subhash Place in Pitampura.

As Delhi prepares for the annual celebration of the victory of good over evil, the giant cockroach is set to become an unexpected attraction. Whether viewed as a cleanliness campaign or a controversial addition to the festivities, the fourth effigy has already ensured that this year’s Ramlila will be remembered for more than the traditional fall of Ravana.