Cockroach effigy burned alongside Ravana at Delhi Ramlila

At this year's Delhi Ramlila, organizers added an unusual element to the traditional Dussehra celebration by burning a cockroach effigy alongside the conventional Ravana figure.

The organizers stated that the cockroach effigy was meant to symbolize filth and corruption. The addition was intended to send a message through the age-old theatrical tradition that combines mythology with social commentary.

The Delhi Ramlila, held annually during Dussehra, has historically used the burning of Ravana's effigy to represent the triumph of good over evil. The inclusion of other symbolic representations reflects organizers' efforts to address contemporary social issues alongside the religious narrative.