Chandni Chowk revamp forces Ramlila Savari to change route this year
There was no other option but to change the route due to the ongoing development work at Chandni Chowk
NEWDELHI: The Ramlila Savari, a historical legacy of Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar, will take a different route this year due to the ongoing redevelopment of Chandni Chowk.
Residents of Old Delhi claim that this is the first time in their living memory that the procession will change course.
The 12-day festival of Navratri features a procession that, each day, begins from the Cycle Market at 6pm and goes through Dariba Kalan, Chandni Chowk, Town Hall, Nai Sadak, Chawri Bazaar and ends at the Ramlila Maidan, where the Ramlila performance takes place.
This year, however, a large section of the route, including the busy market areas of Dariba Kalan, Chandni Chowk and Town Hall, will be circumvented. Instead, the procession will begin at the Cycle Market and pass through Ivory palace, Chawri Bazaar and Ajmeri Gate, before finally reaching the Ramlila Maidan.
The procession is organised by the Shri Ramlila Committee (SRC) in consultation with the municipal corporation and the police.
“There was no other option but to change the route due to the ongoing development work at Chandni Chowk, which along with Dariba Kalan, are highly populated areas. As the procession passes by shops and homes, people would come out to offer RAJESH KHANNA, general secretary of Shri Ramlila Committee
prayers. This year, we expect lesser involvement of people since the new route does not have too many residences. We have also received fewer donations,” said Rajesh Khanna, general secretary of SRC.
Mukul Gundi, who owns the oldest perfumery in Old Delhi, said, “The procession is, of course, a part of our heritage and religious pride. The change in route will also affect business, since many people come from far-off places to watch this and also visit our shop.”
“About 30 years ago, the Delhi Police had tried to change the route, but there was such a widespread protest that they had to revert to the traditional one,” added Gundi.
The Ramlila Savari, celebrated with much fanfare in Old Delhi, traces its roots to the time when emperor Shah Jahan established the Mughal capital at Shahjahanabad.
In her research paper, ‘Dussera festivities in Mughal Shahjahanabad,’ historian Rana Safvi describes how Shah Jahan extended his patronage to various Hindu festivals observed by the residents of his new city. “Dussehra was one such festival which was established for the Hindu soldiers of his army, celebrated on the banks of Yamuna, behind the Red Fort,” she wrote.
When Emperor Bahadur Shah took over the throne in the 19th century, he established the SRC, which continues to function to date, and changed the location of the Ramlila performance from the Yamuna banks. Also, he allowed the procession, comprising the characters of the Ramlila as well as volunteers.
“Maybe, the procession did not take place in 1857 because of the revolt. However, we do not have any record of that,” said Safvi.
The change in the route has evoked a mixed response from residents and shopkeepers. “There are hardly any residents in Chandni Chowk anymore. The new route is, in fact, better for the procession since there are more residents and even those playing characters in the Ramlila live there,” said Sanjay Bhargava, the president of Chandni Chowk Vyapar Mandal.
Ashok Mathur, a resident of Nai Sadak, said, “This city has changed completely. Most shopkeepers are not from here and don’t know the culture and heritage of Old Delhi. However, for us, this procession is of immense value. We have grown up watching it from our favourite spots and that will change.”
“I hope those redeveloping the area consider accommodating the Ramlila Savari,” he added.