Recession affects sale of effigies during "Dussehra" festival in Jaipur

Jaipur, Sept 26 (ANI): Recession has badly affected the sale of effigies of demon King Ravana and others, burnt during the Dussehra festival, in Jaipur.

The artists are reducing the size of the effigies this year, in order to meet the budget of the buyers.

"Recession has definitely affected the sale. There is financial crunch in the market. Everybody wants to buy effigies at low cost," said Jagdish Mahraj, an artist.

Meanwhile, customers said that although it is difficult for them to compromise on the religious aspect, they have cut down their budgets and are buying Ravana effigy of lower price.

"There is cost cutting on the purchase of effigies. Even, we have to do cost cutting for buying crackers," said Bhavani Singh, a buyer.

A wide range of Ravana effigies right from two feet tall to 100 feet tall are made on the occasion.

The effigies of Ravana and his folks are traditionally set ablaze on Dussehra to mark the victory of good over evil.

The effigies are generally mounted on bamboo structure with heads carved out designed with clay or paper. The frame is then covered with cloth and paper so that the effigies catch fire easily.

Dussehra is interpreted as "Dasa-Hara", which means the cutting of the ten heads of demon-king Ravana. On this day, people resolve to cut ten heads-passion, pride, anger, greed, infatuation, lust, hatred, jealousy, selfishness and crookedness. (ANI)