CM Samrat Choudhary joins Vijayadashami Ravana Vadh at Gandhi Maidan
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
On the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashami, Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary went live from Patna's Gandhi Maidan on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, broadcasting the grand Ravana Vadh (effigy-burning ceremony) to audiences across the state and beyond.
Gandhi Maidan's Vijayadashami tradition
Gandhi Maidan, Patna's historic open ground, has long served as the city's premier stage for Dussehra celebrations. Each year, thousands of residents gather here to witness the symbolic burning of the demon king Ravana's effigy — a moment that communities across India observe as the triumph of good over evil. The scale and atmosphere of the Gandhi Maidan event make it one of Bihar's most prominent public festivals.
CM Choudhary's festive outreach
By sharing a live broadcast of the ceremony, Chief Minister Choudhary extended the celebration well beyond the physical grounds, letting citizens who could not attend experience the moment in real time. State leaders participating in or amplifying such festivals has become a visible feature of governance in India's Hindi heartland, blending civic presence with cultural continuity. For Bihar, where festive gatherings carry deep social resonance, the Chief Minister's engagement signals the government's acknowledgement of the occasion's importance to the state's public life.
Vijayadashami — also known as Dussehra — marks the culmination of the nine-day Navratri period and traditionally commemorates the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana. The Ravana Vadh ritual, enacted through the burning of towering effigies, draws massive crowds at public grounds in cities and towns across the country every year.