Chandigarh, August 20 2025: Deputy commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav on Tuesday announced that all permissions for organising Ramlila performances during Dussehra in the city will be issued exclusively through an online portal this year.
The facility, available at serviceonline.gov.in, will go live on August 20 and serve as a single-window system for approvals. Under the new arrangement, applicants will no longer need to approach multiple departments for separate No Objection Certificates (NOCs).
“No application fee will be charged online and approvals will be granted within seven days after submitting the required documents,” Yadav said.
The deputy commissioner has directed officials to ensure the portal functions smoothly, with proper applicant support and timely grievance redressal.
The move, officials said, is aimed at streamlining the approval process ahead of the festive season and providing a hassle-free experience for organisers of Ramlila events.
Ramlila is one of the most vibrant and celebrated traditions in India, performed each year during the festival of Dussehra. It is a theatrical re-enactment of the Ramayana, the ancient Hindu epic that narrates the life and battles of Lord Rama.
Ramlila performances typically begin in the days leading up to Dussehra and culminate on the festival day itself, which marks the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana. The plays are staged in open-air grounds, temple courtyards, or large community spaces, often lasting several evenings.
Actors—sometimes professionals, but often local volunteers—take on the roles of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Hanuman, and Ravana. Traditional costumes, masks, and folk music add to the theatrical atmosphere. The narrative combines devotional singing, dramatic dialogue, and dance.
The final act of Ramlila coincides with Dussehra, when effigies of Ravana, Meghnath, and Kumbhkaran are set ablaze, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. Thousands gather to witness the spectacle, which is accompanied by fireworks, drums, and chants of “Jai Shri Ram.”
Ramlila is more than entertainment—it is a community celebration and a way of transmitting religious and cultural values across generations. In many towns, entire neighborhoods participate in organizing the plays, while children and elders alike look forward to them each year.
In 2005, UNESCO even recognized Ramlila as a part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, noting its role in bringing communities together and keeping oral traditions alive.
