George had visited Ahmedgarh on January 26, 2010, and celebrated Republic Day with the citizens. Hearing that he was again in India, they invited him back to celebrate this occasion.
Hardeep was given the task of ensuring George was there.
Ahmedgarh is surrounded by fertile farmland and is a grain market city. Paddy crops are being harvested at this time and so farmers were bringing their rice to the markets to be sold.
Peanuts, I think they are referred to as groundnuts, are also grown in the area. This vendor was set up along the route into the city.
The festival was held on the grounds of the Gandhi School. This young guide was very accommodating and opened the gate so I could get a photo of the statue.
We were invited to sit with the dignitaries on the stage, but first were adorned with garlands.
(Dussehra --"Dus" means ten, and the festival is held on the tenth day of the new moon.)
Thousands of people were waiting to watch the burning of the evil Ravana at sunset.
This is a major festival in India. It is hard to imagine how many effigies were burned all across the country.
Before the main event, we, along with several other guests, were introduced and presented with these plaques.
One of the organizers and announcers was Ravinder Puri, President of the Municipal Corporation.
The sun was starting to go down.....
But first, no festival is complete without some music and dancing.
This very young boy danced at a dizzying pace. I think perhaps he was a Sufi whirling dervish?
The group that followed performed more of a Bhangra style. They were joined, not really willingly, by a couple of Canadians.
Within a short time, the small stage was packed with people wanting to dance!
And then, the main event--George was invited to join the group of guests who had the task of taking down evil Ravana with their torches.
In a flash, he was gone and Goodness prevailed!
We were very glad that Hardeep had been so insistent that we visit on that day.
His next task was to guide us out of the big crowd.
In many ways, it felt like we were home in Abbotsford. We have attended many events in our South Asian community there--but none involving the burning of the effigy. I am not sure Fire Chief Don Beer would be too keen on it!
On our way out, many children came to us to shake hands, touch our feet, or just get a closer look.
This was the young whirling dervish.
And so the festivals continue here in India. We hear firecrackers popping well into the night. It will all culminate with Diwali on November 13!
