The residents of Sindri will this year miss the Ravan Dahan celebration which in many ways is associated with the identity of the township and its prosperity during the heyday of its fertilizer factory.

The celebration will not be held in accordance with government rules forbidding Ravan Dahan this year.

The residents, however, are hopeful that the festival will return in its old glory with the start of operations at the Hindustan Urvarak and Rasayan Ltd factory next year.

While speaking to The Telegraph Online on Friday, former councillor Dinesh Singh, who is also the secretary of the Shiv Mandir Puja Committee, said: “Ravan Dahan started way back in 1955 during the Fertilizer Corporation of India’s heyday and reached its zenith in the 1960s and 1970s. The festival, however, started losing its sheen in the 1980s as the company started registering losses.

“A large number of people from various parts of the district, including Baliapur, Kandra, Domgarh, Govindpur, Patherdih and Digwadih, would each year witness the festival that is organised after sunset in the large ground of the temple.”

“Ravan Dahan would begin at Sindri during Vijaya Dashami, the 10th day of Durga Puja, around 3pm with a procession. Actors dressed as Ram, Lakshman, Hanuman and Sugriv marched through the streets of Sindri amid the beating of drums and the blowing of conch shells,” said Singh.

Thousands of people witness burning of the Ravana effigy at Babudih ground in Dhanbad last year. Gautam Dey

A large number of people would gather on both sides of the road to watch the procession which would culminate at the temple.

Elephants and horses would be parts of the procession, but when the fertilizer factory started registering losses, the festival lost its sheen. However, Ravan Dahan remained the talk of the town as more than 50,000 people would congregate in Sindri to witness the celebration for which an effigy of a height of 65-70ft would be erected on a 60ft frame at the Shiv Mandir ground.

“Work on making the effigy would start 90 days before the festival. At least 150 bamboo poles, 200 sacks and firecrackers worth around Rs 60,000 are used,” said Singh, adding that the organisers were being asked by Sindri residents whether Ravan Dahan will take place this year. With the release of the SOPs, it has become evident that the celebration will not be held, he said.

“We are hopeful that the golden days of the celebration will return as the new fertilizer factory of Hindustan Urvarak and Rasayan Ltd is coming up at Sindri and is likely to resume operations next year,” said Singh.