Inside Chowpatty's Dussehra celebrations, and how its Ramleela is evolving to cater to changing times in Mumbai

As dusk settles over Chowpatty on the evening we drop by the world of the Ramayana comes alive on stage drawing audiences into a tale of virtue valour and the triumph of good over evilAt Swaraj Bhoomi the Shree Adarsh Ramleela Samiti Trust has transformed its annual presentation into an elaborate theatrical experience where the ancient epic meets modern spectacleOne of the heads of the effigyBeyond the performance the looming Ravana effigy carries its own story shaped by the hands of artisans from Uttar Pradesh who know that their creation is destined for a spectacular endldquoWe noticed that people were losing patience with Ramleela Not just Gen Z but older generations toordquo says committee member Devendra Agarwal In response the Samiti this year introduced a more varied presentation with a 64foot LED stage and a cast of over 50 performers Visitors can experience 3D Ram Darshan take a virtual reality tour of the Ayodhya temple and visit the Ramayana Wisdom Gallery adding new ways to engage with the epicShehezaad Ahmed craftsBut the Ramleelarsquos impact extends beyond the stage to the artisans whose skill and labour give the eveningrsquos central figure its imposing presence For Hafijuddin Ahmed and his fellow artisans Ravana Dahan is the culmination of their labour ldquoWe do this for a living There is a lot of hard work time and effort that goes into itrdquo he saysActors discuss a scene before taking the stageShehezaad Ahmed who crafts Ravanarsquos head sees the burning as an essential part of the tradition ldquoWe know why we are doing this Itrsquos a tradition which should be followed and we are happy to be a part of itrdquo Rather than regret he says the moment brings a sense of freedom and lightness as the work finally comes to an end Nawabuddin Khan finds a deeper truth in the ritual ldquoEvery creation ultimately is bound to end some in a graveyard some by firerdquo For him the flames mark the end of a creation that has demanded time skill and effortThe team adds final touches to the Ravana effigyAt Chowpatty the journey from stage to spectacle makes Dussehra an occasion to experience the Ramayana beyond its familiar telling with Ravana Dahan bringing the celebrations to a dramatic closeOn Today 5 pm onwardsAt Chowpatty Girgaon Charni RoadNawabuddin KhanRavana Dahan across the citygtgt AT Shivaji Raje Ground Gaikwad Nagar Malad WestTIME 630 pm onwardsgtgt AT Azad Maidan Mahapalika Marg entranceTIME 6 pm onwardsgtgt AT Utsav Chowk Pravesh Marg KhargharTIME 7 onwardsgtgt AT Indra Nagar Vikas Mandal Wagle Industrial Estate Thane WestTIME 730 pm onwardsgtgt AT Cement Ground Antop Hill Police StationSion EastTIME 6 pm onwardsDevendra Agarwal and Hafijuddin AhmedFestive faregtgt Hornbyrsquos Pavilion Savour a Navratri thali featuring Sabudana Khichdi Kuttu Ki Poori and other fasting favouritesAT ITC Grand Central Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Road ParelCOST Rs 1650gtgt Khandani Rajdhani The festive spread includes Aloo Pulao Samo Rajgira Puri Kachcha Kela Pattice and Kuttu Ke PakodeAT Palm Beach Road Sector 19D VashiCOST Rs 1200 for twogtgt Via Bombay The Vrat Thali pairs Farali Misal with Makhana Kheer for a sweet finishAT Near BMC Office ChemburCOST Rs 295gtgt Namah Bengaluru Coffee House Try a Karnatakastyle festive Oota with Rasam Sambar Majjige Huli Puliyogare Obbattu and Mysore PakAT Four Bungalows RTO Lane Andheri WestCOST Rs 500 onwardsgtgt Banana Leaf The Navratri menu features vratfriendly favourites such as Sabudana Idli and Rajgira DosaAT Banana Leaf outlets across MumbaiCOST Rs 130 onwards