60-foot Ravana effigy set ablaze in Bhubaneswar during Naharkanta Ravana Podi 2026

The city of Bhubaneswar witnessed the burning of a massive 60‑foot Ravana effigy as the climax of the Naharkanta Ravana Podi 2026 festivities, a traditional celebration marking the end of the Dussehra season in Odisha. Organisers erected the towering figure earlier in the week, drawing crowds of onlookers who gathered to watch the symbolic destruction of the demon king. The effigy, constructed from wood and papier‑mâché, was set alight in a coordinated ceremony that lasted several minutes. Local authorities reported that the event proceeded without any major incidents, and safety measures were in place to manage the large gathering. Media outlet Kanak News Odisha covered the proceedings, noting the scale of the structure and the enthusiastic participation of residents, underscoring the ritual’s importance in Odisha’s festive calendar.