Who builds Panchkula’s 221-ft Ravan? Meet the man dreaming of 300 ft

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From 20-ft effigy in 1985 to towering Dussehra creations, Tejinder Chauhan’s four-decade journey blends craftsmanship with message on society’s evils

By Manya Bhasin

Panchkula: From crafting a modest 20-foot Ravan in 1985 to creating a towering 221-foot effigy in Panchkula, artist Tejinder Chauhan’s journey spans four decades of craftsmanship, ambition and an evolving interpretation of the age-old battle between good and evil.

Popularly known as Rana, Chauhan, a resident of Barara in Ambala district, has made giant Ravan effigies his signature creation. His latest work, erected at the Shalimar Ground in Sector 5, Panchkula, is set to go up in flames on October 20 (Tuesday), bringing his craft into the spotlight once again.

For Chauhan, the journey began in 1985, when he started organising Dussehra celebrations with companions in his village. What began with a 20-foot effigy gradually grew into a record-setting pursuit, earning him repeated recognition in the Limca Book of Records for his towering creations between 1985 and 2017.

In 2018, Chauhan brought his craft to Panchkula, where he constructed a 210-foot Ravan at the same ground in collaboration with the Mata Mansa Devi Charitable Trust. Since then, the scale of his creations has reflected not just his technical ambition but also his belief that the symbolism of Ravan remains relevant in contemporary society.

Since around 2000, Chauhan has viewed the increasing height of his effigies as a metaphor for the spread of social evils. For him, the towering demon king is not merely a mythological figure awaiting its annual fiery end, but a reminder of the wrongs that society must continue to confront.

His latest creation weighs approximately 6,200 kg and has been built using around seven tonnes of iron, bamboo poles, green mesh and thousands of metres of velvet fabric. A team of 40 members worked for nearly three and a half months to complete the structure, combining traditional techniques with careful planning.

Technology has also become part of the spectacle. The effigy will be ignited through a remote-controlled system, while eco-friendly electric firecrackers are planned to reduce air pollution. Given its height, authorities have established a 250-metre safety zone, with the spectator stage positioned 250 feet away.

Yet, for an artist who has spent decades pushing the limits of scale, 221 feet may not be the final milestone. Chauhan hopes to create a 300-foot effigy, provided the ground conditions permit.

From a village initiative to a major Dussehra attraction, his journey reflects how a traditional craft can evolve into a distinctive artistic pursuit. As Panchkula prepares for Ravan Dahan, Chauhan’s work carries a message that goes beyond the spectacle of flames: the real challenge lies not in the height of the effigy, but in overcoming the evils it represents.

(The writer is an intern with The North News)