Noida/New Delhi, Oct. 3 -- Millions of residents across Noida and the National Capital Region celebrated Dussehra and Vijaya Dashami on Thursday with remarkable enthusiasm, undeterred by sudden evening showers that swept through the region. Despite drenched effigies and waterlogged grounds, the festive spirit remained unbroken as communities gathered to mark the triumph of good over evil with traditional Ravana Dahan ceremonies. Across Noida, approximately 30 venues hosted Dussehra celebrations, with major gatherings at Sector 62 and the Sector 21A stadium drawing particularly large crowds. Additional commissioner of police Rajeev Narain Mishra confirmed the widespread participation, noting the efficient management of events despite challenging weather conditions. The celebrations represented months of preparation, with organisers demonstrating remarkable adaptability when confronted with unexpected rainfall. At many venues, the spectacle followed tense moments as teams worked urgently to salvage waterlogged grounds and dry soaked effigies. Their quick thinking and resourcefulness ensured that the climactic burning of Ravana, Kumbhkaran, and Meghnad proceeded with full dramatic effect. Despite the disruptions, the festival's grandeur remained intact. The cultural significance of the festival was emphasised by Pramod Rajput, general secretary of Shri Sanatan Dharma Sabha at Sector 137's Central Park. "Our Shobha Yatra featuring eight chariots and a brass band was followed by Ravan Dahan," he explained. "The idea was to pass our rich heritage and culture to the next generation." In Delhi, at the iconic Luv Kush Ramlila at the Red Fort grounds, one of Delhi's grandest celebrations, the first downpour sent spectators scurrying for cover. Organisers said that for a moment they feared the event would fizzle out. "People were running here and there for shelter. We thought the crowd would disperse and the effigy burning would not be as exciting. But instead, more people gathered to watch," an organiser said. Extra dry grass and kerosene were deployed to ensure the sodden effigies burned bright. Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta, who attended the Ravana Dahan at northwest Delhi's Pitampura's PU Block Ramlila Ground, used the weather itself as a metaphor for resilience. "Aaj chahe Ramji upaar se kitnahi baarshe, parantu ravan daahan hona hi tha (Today, no matter how much Ramji rained from above, Ravana had to be killed)," she said. "The festival of Vijayadashami symbolises the victory of righteousness. Ravana Dahan reminds us that arrogance and unrighteousness never win." But behind the scenes, many organisers admitted the rain left them scrambling. Rahul Sharma, a member of the Nav Shri Dharmik Ramlila Committee, said mats and chairs were soaked and effigies had to be dried hurriedly. "If it had rained in the afternoon, we could have prepared. But this was sudden. The effigy burning was delayed by almost half an hour," he said. At Indraprastha, Ramlila organisers double-checked electrical wiring after rain left the ground soggy. "The water drained quickly, but the ground was wet for a period of time. All the cables had been laid on the ground, we did double checks so that there was no short circuit or interruption of electricity," said Dalip Bindal of the Shri Ramlila Committee at Indraprastha. At Lal Qila, organisers used dry sticks to set alight effigies that had soaked through to their bamboo frames. President Droupadi Murmu attended the Dharmik Leela Committee's event in the evening, ceremonially shooting an arrow to ignite Ravana's effigy. Addressing the crowd, she drew parallels between the festival and the nation's fight against terrorism. "When the demon of terrorism attacks humankind, it becomes essential to hunt it. Operation Sindoor by Indian forces is a symbol of the victory of humanity over the Ravana of terrorism," she said....