Introduction: The Festival of Good over Evil

Every year, as the bright autumn sun begins to mellow and a gentle breeze signals the arrival of winter, India prepares for one of its most celebrated festivals Dussehra, also called Vijayadashami or Dashera. Traditionally, this day marks the victory of good over evil. In the north of India it commemorates Lord Rama’s triumph over the demon king Ravana. In other regions, it celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon Mahishasura. Whatever the regional story, the essence is clear: dharma (righteousness) prevails when people choose courage, self-discipline, and morality over arrogance and injustice.

But as we stand in the 21st century, the noble ideals of Dussehra are increasingly lost in the smoke of fireworks, the glare of stage lights, and the noise of loudspeakers. What was once a deeply spiritual celebration has, in many places, turned into an extravagant display of wealth, a generator of massive pollution, and a culture of waste that contradicts the very lessons the festival seeks to teach. This blog dives deep into the reality behind the festivities examining the show-off culture, environmental damage, unnecessary spending, and rubbish practices that now dominate Dussehra.

The True Essence of Dussehra

Before exploring the negatives, it is important to remember what Dussehra is supposed to represent. The Ramayana teaches that Lord Rama defeated Ravana not merely with weapons, but with virtues: patience, strategy, humility, and devotion. The burning of Ravana’s effigy symbolizes the destruction of ego and the victory of truth. Similarly, in the Durga Puja tradition, the Goddess triumphs because of her courage and the unity of the divine forces.

In its purest form, Dussehra invites each of us to identify and burn the “Ravana” within—anger, greed, hatred, and pride. Communities gather to reinforce moral values, share joy, and renew social harmony. The festival’s power lies not in spectacle but in inner reflection.

From Devotion to Display: How Modern Celebrations Changed

Over time, however, the simplicity of Dussehra has been replaced by grand public events designed to impress. Huge grounds are converted into Ram-leela stages with dazzling lights and gigantic sets. Effigies of Ravana stretch to 50 feet or more, stuffed with fireworks that explode into the sky. Social media further fuels competition: families and community groups strive to post the most dramatic photos, the tallest effigy, the loudest celebration. What was once a neighborhood gathering of shared devotion often feels like a reality show judged by likes and shares.

This shift from spiritual celebration to visual performance is not harmless. It brings with it a chain of consequences social, financial, and environmental that we can no longer ignore.

The Show-Off Culture: Festivals as Status Symbols

One of the most disturbing aspects of today’s Dussehra is the show-off culture. For many organizers, the festival has become a stage to display wealth and influence. Local clubs compete to build the tallest Ravana, hire the most expensive sound system, or invite a celebrity guest. Sponsors pour money into decorations that last only a few days, while audiences judge the success of an event not by the moral message but by the size of the firework display.

Families, too, sometimes fall into the trap. Expensive new clothes, elaborate feasts, and flashy gifts are flaunted on social media. Children grow up believing festivals are about outward display rather than inward growth. The irony is painful: the effigy of Ravana, meant to symbolize the destruction of ego, has become a monument to human vanity.

Pollution: Burning Effigies, Burning Planet

Perhaps the most immediate cost of this show-off culture is pollution. Every year, thousands of effigies stuffed with fireworks release clouds of smoke and fine particles into the air. According to environmental studies, the levels of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) spike dramatically on Dussehra night in many cities, contributing to respiratory problems and climate change.

The noise from firecrackers harms not only humans but also birds, street animals, and infants. Lakes and rivers near celebration grounds are often littered with half-burned debris, plastic wrappers, and chemical residues. Ironically, while effigies of Ravana burn to symbolize the defeat of evil, our actions harm the very Earth that sustains us an evil of our own making.

Waste of Money: Crores Up in Smoke

The financial waste is staggering. Across India, community organizers spend crores of rupees each year on temporary stages, decorations, sound systems, and fireworks that last only a night. Families purchase expensive clothes and gifts under social pressure. Vendors hike prices because they know people will spend impulsively in the festive mood.

Imagine if even a fraction of this money were redirected to lasting community benefits: improving local schools, feeding the hungry, supporting healthcare, or planting trees. The Ramayana itself teaches simplicity and sacrifice, yet modern celebrations often reward extravagance and consumerism.

Rubbish Culture and Blind Competition

Alongside pollution and spending comes a rubbish culture literally and metaphorically. Streets are littered with plastic plates, disposable cups, and burnt firecracker shells. Volunteers struggle to clean the mess while many attendees walk away without a thought. The culture of “someone else will clean it” reflects a deeper moral decline.

Moreover, the competition between neighborhoods who builds the biggest effigy, who hosts the loudest Ram-leela turns a moral festival into a meaningless contest. Instead of burning the Ravana within, communities nurture new Ravanas of envy and rivalry.

Impact on Children and Society

The consequences extend beyond the environment. Children learn by watching adults. When they see elders prioritizing fireworks over prayers, spending over sharing, and selfies over reflection, they absorb these values. Festivals that once taught humility and moral courage now risk teaching consumerism, ego, and environmental disregard.

Society, too, pays a hidden cost. The money wasted on short-lived spectacles could alleviate poverty or improve infrastructure. The smoke from effigies adds to the already dangerous levels of urban pollution, burdening healthcare systems and shortening lives.

Returning to the Spirit of Dussehra: Solutions and Alternatives

It is not enough to criticize; we must also offer solutions. The good news is that sustainable, meaningful celebrations are possible:

1. Eco-Friendly Effigies – Use biodegradable materials like paper and natural colors instead of plastic, thermocol, or chemical paints.

2. Symbolic Burns – Reduce the size of effigies or burn a single community effigy to cut emissions. Some groups even use digital projections or light shows to symbolize the burning of evil without actual fire.

3. Community Service – Replace fireworks with charity drives: distribute food to the poor, organize free health camps, or plant trees.

4. Silent Celebrations – Limit noise levels with strict decibel regulations. Use music, plays, and storytelling instead of deafening loudspeakers.

5. Educational Events – Teach children the moral lessons of Ramayana and Durga Puja through workshops, art competitions, and discussions.

6. Social Media with Purpose – If sharing photos, highlight eco-friendly actions, charity work, and meaningful rituals rather than extravagance.

These steps not only reduce harm but also restore the festival’s original intent celebrating virtue, community, and inner growth.

Personal Reflection: Burning the Inner Ravana

Beyond environmental and financial concerns, Dussehra challenges each of us to confront personal demons. Do we harbor anger, greed, or arrogance? Are we enslaved by the desire to impress others? Burning an effigy without burning these inner weaknesses is meaningless. True celebration begins when we practice honesty, kindness, and self-discipline in daily life.

Conclusion: Choosing Wisdom over Vanity

Dussehra is a priceless cultural treasure. It carries timeless lessons of courage, morality, and the triumph of good. Yet in the race for spectacle, we risk turning it into a festival of smoke and mirrors literally and figuratively. Show-off culture, pollution, waste of money, and rubbish practices are not minor side effects; they are new Ravanas we must defeat.

As individuals and communities, we hold the power to reclaim the festival’s soul. By celebrating responsibly, we honor not only Lord Rama or Goddess Durga but also our planet, our society, and our own higher selves. The choice is ours: continue burning effigies while nurturing ego, or burn ego itself and let goodness truly win.