Bareilly’s 166-year UNESCO-recognised Ramleela is unlike any other in world

Bareilly: While Ramleela is traditionally staged in the weeks leading up to Dussehra across India, in Bareilly, the epic story unfolds not in autumn, but in the festive spirit of Holi. This 166-year-old tradition is not only unique in timing but also in form, and it earned recognition from UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

There are several unique elements in this spectacle. Unlike conventional Ramleelas that are performed on a fixed stage, Bareilly's Ramleela is a moving spectacle. The entire city becomes its stage. Processions wind through narrow lanes and bustling markets, bringing episodes of the Ramayana directly to the people. It is this living, breathing format that makes the celebration special.

"The tradition dates back to 1861, when a group of children started it. Over the decades, it grew into a grand community celebration that now draws thousands of participants and spectators. This Ramleela does not stay in one place. The city itself becomes Ayodhya, Mithila and Lanka. Every neighbourhood turns into a scene from the Ramayana," Akhilesh Agarwal, the in-charge of the Ramleela committee, revealed.

The festivities begin at the Nrisinh Temple in Bamanpuri with Ganesh pujan and a ceremonial flag procession. From there, the narrative unfolds over nearly 19 days, starting with Narad Moh and Ram Janm. As the story progresses, dramatic episodes such as Sita's birth, Vishwamitra's arrival, and the slaying of Tadaka are enacted in different parts of the city.

The highlight, however, is the grand Ram Baraat, a nearly 10-km-long procession taken out a day before Holi. "This year marks its 166th edition. Thousands of devotees walk alongside beautifully decorated chariots carrying artistes enacting Lord Ram, Lakshman, Sita and Bharat. Participants play with colours as the procession moves through the city's main routes."

The Ram Baraat begins from Nrisinh Temple and passes through key areas of the city before returning in the evening. By the end of the day, even security personnel are seen covered in colour.

After the Ram Baraat comes another unique feature — the ‘Kevat Ki Naav' procession. This symbolic journey, representing Lord Ram's crossing of the river during exile, also travels across the city. Later, the emotional Bharat Milap takes place. Two separate processions — one representing Lord Ram and the other Bharat — start from different corners of the city and meet at a common point. The reunion is celebrated in the spirit of Holi Milan, with colours and embraces.

The celebrations continue with episodes like Lanka Dahan, Meghnad Vadh and finally Ravan Vadh. The festival concludes with Ram Rajyabhishek, marking the coronation of Lord Ram. Another grand procession known as the Ram Tilak Yatra draws nearly 8,000 participants and signals the end of the 15-day celebration.

What makes this Ramleela even more remarkable is the spirit of harmony it reflects. The processions pass through areas near the Ala Hazrat Dargah and other Muslim-dominated localities, where residents welcome the yatra with warmth. Despite often coinciding with Ramzan, the celebrations are conducted peacefully.

SP City Manush Parekh said that the event is organised in a traditional manner every year. "We deploy police and PAC forces as a precaution, but the people of Bareilly host the event with love and respect. There was never any major tension," he said.

In 2008, UNESCO included this Ramleela in its representative list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, recognising its long cultural continuity and strong community participation. The honour placed Bareilly's Holi-time Ramleela on the global cultural map.