Ravan Dahan Held for Three Days in Madhya Pradesh’s Ashta: Why This 150-Year-Old Dussehra Tradition Continues

In the Ashta region of Sehore district, Madhya Pradesh, Dussehra is celebrated not for just one day but for three. The tradition has been followed for 150 years or more.

On Vijayadashami (Dussehra 2026), a 71-foot effigy of Ravan is burnt in Ashta. The next day, a 25-foot effigy is burnt at Khadi Haat. On the third day, an effigy of 20 to 25 feet is burnt at Kajlas.

Thousands of people gather at all three places amid Ramlila, processions and fireworks.

Why the festival runs for three days

There is an interesting reason behind this unusual tradition. In the past, entertainment options were limited. Festivals and Ramlila were the main occasions for people to meet and enjoy themselves.

When Ravan Dahan was held on a single day, people from far-flung villages could not take part in the celebrations. The elders then jointly decided to celebrate Dussehra for three days. Ashta, Khadi Haat and Kajlas were chosen for this.

Generations have changed and entertainment options have changed, but the tradition has not.

Preparations began a month ahead

Kanhaiyalal Sharma, 76, of Ashta says preparations for Dussehra used to begin about a month earlier. Half the people would work on making the Ravan effigy, while the rest prepared the Ramlila characters.

Bhajan groups would gather separately and keep singing bhajans continuously. Local people jointly arranged food and drink for the artists. The expenses of the event were also shared among them.

This phase of preparation too became an occasion for collective entertainment and socialising for the villages. Now the effigies and other arrangements are completed in seven to 15 days.

Different festivities at each place, with nearby villages joining

In Ashta, Ravan Dahan was earlier held near the old vegetable market. A few years ago, the venue was shifted to near the new Dussehra ground in front of the police station.

The tradition began here with a 51-foot effigy. Effigies of 61 to 71 feet are now burnt. Before the dahan, there are fireworks, a Ram-Ravan battle and performances by artists.

At Khadi Haat too, a procession with bands and drums is taken out during the day. According to Ramesh Verma of Khadi, people from more than 15 surrounding villages come to watch Dussehra here.

At Kajlas, Ravan Dahan takes place on the third day after the staging of Ramlila. Thus, the whole region remains in a festive mood for three days.