Kota, October 19, 2026: The much-awaited Ravana effigy burning ceremony at the 133rd National Dussehra Mela 2026 will be held on October 20, with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla as the chief guest. Education Minister Madan Dilawar, Energy Minister Heeralal Nagar, MLAs Shanti Dhariwal, Sandeep Sharma and Kalpana Devi, Rajasthan State President of the Indian Red Cross Society Rajesh Birla, BJP Kota City District President Rakesh Jain, BJP Rural District President Prem Gochar, and Deepak Rajvanshi of Shubham Group will also attend the event.
Mayor Anusuya Goswami and Mela Officer Omprakash Mehra shared detailed information about the fair with the media on Monday. The Mayor said that the Ravana effigy had been prepared in its traditional form this year, keeping public expectations in mind. The positioning of the Ravana family effigies has also been planned according to Vastu principles.
Ravana's effigy stands 105 feet tall this year, while the costumes of Ravana and his family and the fireworks display during the burning ceremony have been made more attractive. For the first time, the effigies of Ravana and his family were installed at the fairground five days before the burning ceremony, attracting thousands of visitors.
For the first time, a cultural programme based on Rajasthani traditions will also be organised before the Ravana Dahan ceremony to entertain visitors. Renowned folk artist Madhu Bhat will perform on a specially constructed stage near Vijayashree Rangmanch.
Colourful Cultural Programmes at Vijayashree Rangmanch
Mayor Goswami said the regular cultural programmes at Vijayashree Rangmanch would begin on October 22. The schedule includes a Sindhi cultural programme featuring popular singer Rockstar Neel, followed by a Tourism Department programme on October 23.
On October 24, the patriotic musical evening Ek Shaam Shaheedon Ke Naam will feature renowned singer Suresh Wadkar. A devotional evening featuring Tripti Shakya will be held on October 25, while Kota's Like-Minded Group will present Ek Shaam Purane Geeton Ke Naam on October 26.
Renowned Poets to Participate in All India Kavi Sammelan
The All India Kavi Sammelan will be organised on October 27, featuring celebrated poets Satyanarayan Sattan, Jagdish Solanki, Shashikant Yadav, Anjum Rahbar, Kavita Tiwari, Chetan Charchit, Vineet Chauhan, Vishnu Saxena and Sunder Kataria.
On October 28, comedians Vikalp Mehta and Siddharth Sagar will entertain audiences during the laughter show. The Rajasthan Kavi Sammelan will be held on October 29, followed by the first part of the Bal Pratibha programme for girls on October 30.
A Bhojpuri cultural programme featuring Golu Raja and Neha Singh will take place on October 31.
Sonu Sharma to Motivate Youth; Mika Singh to Perform on November 4
Mela Officer Omprakash Mehra said motivational speaker Sonu Sharma would address and motivate Kota's youth on November 1. A karaoke singing programme featuring local talent will also be organised on the same day.
The second part of the Bal Pratibha programme, featuring boys, will be held on November 2. Punjabi singers Jassie Gill and Babbal Rai will perform during Punjabi Night on November 3, while renowned singer Mika Singh will headline the musical evening on November 4.
The fair will conclude on November 5 with a grand fireworks display.
Ramayana Gallery to Be a Major Attraction
Mehra said a special Ramayana Gallery was being developed for this year's fair. The gallery, planned along the boundary wall of the Municipal Corporation building, will showcase magnificent scenes depicting the journey of Lord Ram, from his birth to his coronation.
Near the entrance from Dolphin Park, a depiction of Maharishi Valmiki writing the Ramayana will be installed in the middle of the road. Neon signs featuring Lord Ram, Lakshman, Sita and Hanuman have also been installed on various poles across the fairground.
Several entry gates and market areas have been named after characters from the Ramayana, adding a distinctive cultural and religious theme to the fair.
Mermaid Attraction and Musical Fountain in the West Zone
The West Zone of the Dussehra Ground will feature a mermaid-themed attraction and, for the first time, a musical fountain. The fountain, measuring 100 feet in width and 40 feet in height, will offer a continuous water display illuminated by changing lights.
The laser show and drone show, introduced on the inspiration of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, will also return this year. The laser show will be held from October 30 to November 1, while the drone show is scheduled for November 3. Hundreds of drones will take to the sky together to create spectacular formations.
Wrestling Competition and Traditional Activities
The wrestling competition will be held on November 1 and 2, with wrestlers from across Rajasthan showcasing their strength and skills.
Other activities include a cooking competition on October 22, a Mallakhamb demonstration on October 24, rangoli, mandana, mehendi, safa and pagri competitions on October 27, a bridal makeup competition on October 28, and a Gatka demonstration on November 3.
For the first time, the fair will also host Sur-Taal Kachahari, a special musical programme featuring performances and unique combinations of various traditional musical instruments, along with Rajasthani-style singing. The programme will take place at Vijayashree Rangmanch on October 29.
Live Streaming and Dedicated Website for Updates
As in previous years, the fair's programmes will be streamed live on YouTube. A dedicated website has also been launched to provide regular updates about events and activities. SMS invitations are being sent to the public daily, while social media influencers have been engaged to promote the fair across digital platforms.
Fairground Prepared to Welcome Visitors
The Municipal Corporation has undertaken extensive preparations, including painting, strengthening and levelling the ground, cleaning, repairs and road maintenance. Regular cleaning will continue throughout the fair, with special attention to sanitation and daily fogging to maintain hygiene.
Insurance Cover and Enhanced CCTV Surveillance
The fair has been insured this year to provide compensation in the event of any untoward incident. Swing operators have also been required to obtain separate insurance coverage.
The number of CCTV cameras has been increased compared with last year. A specialised Rajasthan Police drone unit will also monitor activities across the fairground from above to strengthen security arrangements.
Parking at Eight Locations
Parking facilities have been arranged at eight locations along roads leading to the Dussehra Ground.
The parking charges will be ₹5 for bicycles, ₹20 for motorcycles for the first four hours and an additional ₹10 per hour thereafter. Four-wheelers will be charged ₹50 for the first four hours and ₹20 per hour thereafter.
A helpline has also been established to address complaints of overcharging or misbehaviour by parking contractors. Parking rates and helpline numbers will be prominently displayed at every parking location.
The designated parking sites are:
1. Near Dhara Ka Akhada
2. Vehicle stand on Kishorpura Road
3. Opposite Eidgah
4. Open area between Ashapala Colony
5. Animal Fair Phase 2, near the Police Control Room
6. Animal Fair Phase 2, opposite KDA
7. Bakra Mandi, Plot No. 1
8. Bakra Mandi, Plot No. 2
The 133rd National Dussehra Mela 2026 is being organised from October 11 to November 5. Mayor Anusuya Goswami said it was the first major event of this scale since the formation of the current Municipal Corporation board.
She added that, inspired by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, the fair would bring together Kota's glorious cultural heritage and modern attractions. The programmes have been planned in line with public expectations, while special attention is also being given to the convenience and facilities of traders participating in the fair.
