Ravan Effigy Burning or “Nuclear Blast”? This Dussehra video has gone viral

An effigy of demon king Ravan exploded during a Dussehra event on Saturday, prompting comparisons to a “nuclear test”. The moment was captured in a now-viral video circulating on social media. It shows a towering effigy, part of the traditional Ravan Dahan, erupting with a powerful explosion.

Dussehra or Vijayadashmi is a major Hindu festival celebrating the victory of good over evil. One of the key events of the festival is the Ravan Dahan, which involves burning the effigies of the demon king Ravan, his brother Kumbhakarna and his son Meghnath. The act symbolizes the triumph of Lord Rama over Ravana.

The video shows onlookers eagerly awaiting the burning of the effigy, as is the tradition during Dussehra. People lined up with their phones to capture the symbolic moment. However, shortly after the effigy was set on fire, an unexpected explosion occurred, creating a huge mushroom-like cloud that shot into the sky like a nuclear explosion.

The sudden blast caused panic among the crowd, with bystanders jostling and running for cover.

Dussehra ❌ Nuclear test ✅ pic.twitter.com/77UwOboZ72

— ????????????ℎ????ᡣ???? (@aryansingh2466) October 13, 2024

“Nuclear test,” wrote an X user.

Another wrote: “Nuclear bomb tests were also done with Ravana Dahan.”

Nuclear bomb testing was also done with Ravana Dahan pic.twitter.com/gTF2ahauHb

— Divuahirr (@Divuahirr) October 14, 2024

In Patna, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar led the Ravan Dahan ceremony at Gandhi Maidan. An 80 feet tall effigy of Ravan was set on fire as part of the tradition. Key figures including Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary and Governor Rajendra Viswanath Arlekar were among those present.

#WATCH | Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and Dy CM Samrat Choudhary are present #DussehraCelebration at the Gandhi Maidan in Patna pic.twitter.com/nqk833V4Wt

— ANI (@ANI) October 12, 2024

Nitish Kumar fired an arrow to set the effigy on fire, which quickly burst into flames, followed by the burning of 75-feet and 70-feet effigies of Meghnath and Kumbhakarna, respectively. Before the ceremony, the Chief Minister and the Governor performed aarti to Lord Ram. A huge crowd, estimated at around one lakh, had gathered at the Gandhi Maidan to witness the spectacle.