As effigies of Ravana went up in flames in Kashmir on Tuesday evening, the celebrations symbolised not only the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana but also what many attendees described as the end of an era of fear for the Valley. The event reflected a change in the region’s cultural and communal landscape, with Hindus, Muslims and security personnel coming together to celebrate Dussehra.
Today, as the world faces such turmoil, perhaps a prophet or an incarnation will emerge to eradicate the evils that plague our society,” he said. “From Kashmir, there is a message for the world: Ravana was a man of great learning, yet when arrogance took root in him, Lord Rama had to be born to put an end to it.
Sanjay Tickoo, president of the Kashmiri Pandit Sangharsh Samiti, which organised the event, said the celebration carried a message beyond the traditional symbolism of Dussehra. “Dussehra is not merely about burning effigies; it is an invitation for each individual to reflect on the vices they have managed to overcome, thereby fulfilling the true purpose of their existence,” he said. He said there were signs of positive change in Kashmir but urged political leaders to avoid unnecessary accusations against one another.
Improved security, government support and a growing sense of normalcy have contributed to the return of large community gatherings. “On this day which celebrates the victory of good over evil I pray that the evils within our own society are brought to an end. The administration made security and logistical arrangements to ensure that the celebrations proceeded smoothly and without disruption.
Specifically, I hope that the grip of the drug mafia which is so evident today is destroyed, just as we burn the effigy of Ravana, so that evil may be completely eradicated,” Saraf said. The 2026 celebrations have marked a significant revival of public festivities, reflecting what organisers and attendees see as a broader cultural and social change in Kashmir following 2019. Sanjay Saraf, one of the people credited with restarting Dussehra celebrations in Kashmir, said the event had grown considerably since the tradition was revived in 2007.
