With the Navratri festival just a month away, many Ramleela patrons are in doubt about the likelihood of the stage being set for the epic show this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Of all the destinations that host Ramleela shows in India, Varanasi is the most famous. According to the news reports, the Ramleela in Varanasi will not be organised in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions, but to keep the tradition alive, new developments are underway.
Reportedly, instead of human artists, wooden puppets will be used to enact the Ramleela in Banaras this year, and it will also be telecast on the social media from September 30 to October 30. The idea has been developed by the Mahant of Sankat Mochan Temple in Varanasi, Prof. Vishambhar Nath Mishra’s family.
The puppets will don masks of different characters of Ramayana and their names will be displayed as subtitles. As a bonus, the organisers have put these wooden masks on sale for people who want to enact the Ramleela within their family.
Several tourists throng Varanasi during Durga Puja every year only to watch the world-famous Ram Leela of Varanasi. An impressive fair is also held in the ancient city during this time. However, due to the current pandemic, a lot of festive events and fairs have been cancelled.
The Ramleela in Kashi is held at Ramnagar every year.