Patna's 71st Ravan Vadh at Gandhi Maidan draws thousands on Vijayadashami
Synopsis
After 71 years, Patna's iconic Gandhi Maidan hosted what is expected to be its last Ravan Vadh ceremony — a 90-foot Ravana effigy burned before thousands on Vijayadashami. From 2027, the celebration shifts to a new Ramlila Maidan on JP Ganga Path, closing a seven-decade chapter at one of Bihar's most storied public grounds.
Key Takeaways
The 71st annual Ravan Vadh was held at Gandhi Maidan, Patna on Vijayadashami, 20 October 2026 .
A 90-foot effigy of Ravana , along with effigies of Kumbhakarna and Meghnad , was set ablaze by the Dussehra Committee Trust .
Dignitaries including Bihar Governor Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain and Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary attended the ceremony.
This is expected to be the last Ravan Vadh at Gandhi Maidan ; from 2027 , the event moves to a new venue near JP Ganga Path (Marine Drive) .
The relocation aims to address traffic congestion around Gandhi Maidan during the annual celebration.
Ravan Dahan was simultaneously observed across more than 25 Bihar districts , including Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur, and Darbhanga.
Patna's Gandhi Maidan came alive on Vijayadashami, 20 October 2026, as thousands gathered to witness the 71st annual Ramlila festival and Ravan Vadh ceremony, organised by the Dussehra Committee Trust. The centrepiece of the evening — the burning of a towering 90-foot effigy of Ravana — drew residents from Patna and surrounding districts in large numbers to mark the symbolic triumph of good over evil.
The Spectacle at Gandhi Maidan
The night was charged with chants of 'Jai Shri Ram' and 'Jai Hanuman' as effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghnad were set ablaze in quick succession. A dramatic tableau featuring Lord Ram, Lakshmana, and Sita arriving by chariot added a traditional flourish to the proceedings. Hanuman and the Vanar Sena enthralled spectators with their performance, while a separate effigy representing the golden city of Lanka was also set afire, amplifying the grandeur of the occasion.
Dignitaries in Attendance
The ceremony drew a notable gathering of officials. Nagaland Governor Nand Kishore Yadav, Bihar Governor Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain, Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, and Minister Ram Kripal Yadav were among those present, reflecting the event's status as one of Bihar's most prominent public observances.
A Historic Last: The Move to a New Venue
This year's Ravan Vadh at Gandhi Maidan is expected to be the last at the iconic ground. Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary had earlier announced that from 2027, the celebrations will shift to a new Ramlila Maidan being developed near Patna's JP Ganga Path — the riverside stretch popularly known as Marine Drive. The proposed relocation is intended to ease the significant traffic congestion that the annual gathering has long caused around the area. The move marks the end of a seven-decade tradition at Gandhi Maidan, making this edition particularly significant for long-time attendees.
Bihar-Wide Celebrations
The Vijayadashami fervour was not confined to the state capital. Ravan Dahan ceremonies were simultaneously held across dozens of Bihar districts, including Gaya, Motihari, Bettiah, Gopalganj, Siwan, Arrah, Dalmianagar, Mohania, Arval, Jehanabad, Aurangabad, Nawada, Jamui, Lakhisarai, Munger, Bhagalpur, Banka, Madhepura, Saharsa, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Samastipur, Muzaffarpur, Sasaram, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, and Chhapra, among others. The widespread observance underscored Vijayadashami's deep cultural resonance across the state.
As the embers of the 90-foot Ravana settled over Gandhi Maidan, the occasion carried an added weight — the close of a 71-year chapter at one of Patna's most historic open grounds, before a new era begins at the riverside venue next year.
Point of View
Making it one of the longest-running Dussehra traditions at a single public ground in eastern India. The decision to shift to JP Ganga Path is pragmatic — traffic gridlock around the Maidan has worsened each year — but it marks a quiet cultural transition that deserves more attention than it typically receives in routine festival coverage. Whether the new riverside venue replicates the emotional pull of Gandhi Maidan, with its layered history as a political and civic gathering space, remains to be seen. Venue changes for legacy festivals rarely go without friction, and 2027 will be a test of whether the crowds follow the effigies or stay loyal to the ground.
NationPress
20 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ravan Vadh ceremony at Patna's Gandhi Maidan?
The Ravan Vadh is an annual Vijayadashami tradition in which large effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghnad are burned to symbolise the victory of good over evil. The 2026 edition was the 71st such ceremony organised by the Dussehra Committee Trust at Gandhi Maidan, Patna.
Why is 2026 expected to be the last Ravan Vadh at Gandhi Maidan?
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary announced that from 2027, the Ravan Vadh celebrations will shift to a new Ramlila Maidan near JP Ganga Path, popularly known as Marine Drive. The move is intended to ease significant traffic congestion caused by the large annual gathering at Gandhi Maidan.
Who attended the 71st Ravan Vadh in Patna?
The ceremony was attended by Nagaland Governor Nand Kishore Yadav, Bihar Governor Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain, Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, and Minister Ram Kripal Yadav, among other dignitaries.
Where will the Ravan Vadh be held from 2027?
From 2027, the event is scheduled to move to a new Ramlila Maidan being developed near Patna's JP Ganga Path, a riverside stretch informally called Marine Drive. The new venue is expected to better accommodate the large crowds and reduce traffic disruption in central Patna.
Was Ravan Dahan celebrated across Bihar beyond Patna?
Yes, Ravan Dahan was observed simultaneously across more than 25 Bihar districts on Vijayadashami 2026, including Gaya, Motihari, Bettiah, Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur, Darbhanga, and Chhapra, among others.
