Thu Oct 02 13:30:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten news article:
**Summary:**
Heavy rain disrupted Dussehra celebrations in several districts of Uttar Pradesh. Ramlila performances were dampened, and effigies of Ravana became soaked, hindering their burning. Organizers in places like Meerut, Mathura, and Gonda struggled to protect the effigies and eventually burn them. Despite the weather, Lucknow celebrated Dussehra with fervor, with large crowds attending Ramlila events and effigies being burned, some protected from the rain.
**News Article:**
**Rain Dampens Dussehra Celebrations in UP, Efforts Made to Burn Soaked Effigies**
**Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh -** Dussehra celebrations across Uttar Pradesh were met with disruptive rainfall on Vijaya Dashami, affecting Ramlila performances and Ravana effigy burnings in several districts.
In Meerut, heavy rain caused waterlogging in Ramlila grounds, with organizers scrambling to protect the Ravana effigy from the downpour. Similar situations were reported in other areas of the city, leading to difficulties for attendees navigating flooded grounds.
Mathura saw organizers struggling to ignite soaked effigies of Ravana and Ahiravana at the Mahavidya Ramlila Maidan. After nearly half an hour of effort, the effigies were finally set ablaze. In Gonda, the effigy of Meghnad had to be moved to safety following afternoon showers.
Despite the inclement weather, Lucknow embraced the Dussehra spirit. Crowds gathered at Ramlila grounds, with the 65-foot Ravana effigy at Aishbagh Ramlila Maidan covered in waterproof material to shield it from the rain. Celebrations proceeded with enthusiasm, marked by the burning of effigies and the resounding chants of “Jai Shri Ram” and “Jai Mata Di.”
First Piper 