Ramlila season is in full swing in Dehradun. Local committees across the city are staging the Ramayan night after night through Navratri, building up to Dussehra on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, when Ravan’s effigy is burnt. A few Ramlilas in Dehradun district also run after Dussehra, so you can still catch one in late October and early November.
This guide lists the Ramlilas in Dehradun for 2026 with their venues, dates and organisers, plus what to expect and how to plan your visit.
Quick answer: The main Ramlilas running in Dehradun right now are the 32nd Ramlila Mahotsav at Danda Lakhaund (Sahastradhara Road, October 9–21), the Tehri (1952) Ramlila at Race Course, and the 77-year-old Rajpur Ramlila. After Dussehra, Athurwala near Jolly Grant starts a revived Ramlila on October 24, and Vikasnagar stages its Ramlila on November 1–5.
Ramlila in Dehradun 2026: Venues at a Glance
| Ramlila | Area | Dates | Status (Oct 18) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32nd Ramlila Mahotsav, Danda Lakhaund | Sahastradhara Road, near IT Park | October 9–21 | Running |
| Tehri (1952) Ramlila | Race Course | From October 8 | Running |
| Rajpur Ramlila (77th year) | Rajpur | Navratri 2026 | Running |
| 31st Dussehra Mela | Rajiv Nagar, Doiwala | October 20 | Upcoming |
| Shri Ramlila, Athurwala (revived) | Jolly Grant | From October 24 | Upcoming |
| Nayi Ekta Ramlila | Vikasnagar | November 1–5 | Upcoming |
Most neighbourhood Ramlilas are not announced online. If you live in Dehradun, your local mandir, RWA or market association will usually know about smaller stagings nearby.
Ramlilas Running in Dehradun Now
1. 32nd Ramlila Mahotsav, Danda Lakhaund (Sahastradhara Road)
- Dates: October 9–21, 2026
- Venue: Ramlila Maidan, Panchayat Bhawan, Danda Khudanewala, near IT Park, Sahastradhara Road
- Organiser: Kshetriya Sanskritik Ramkala evam Samaj Kalyan Samiti
This is one of the longest-running community Ramlilas on the eastern side of the city, now in its 32nd year. It continues for a day after Dussehra, so you can still catch the final scenes on October 21. If you are coming from the city centre, it is on the way to Sahastradhara.
2. Tehri (1952) Ramlila, Race Course
- Dates: From October 8, 2026 (kalash yatra on October 9), through the Navratri period
- Venue: Race Course, Dehradun (Amar Ujala reports the Bannu School ground; another report names the Shri Guru Nanak Public School ground, so confirm locally)
- Organiser: Shri Ramkrishna Leela Samiti Tehri 1952
The committee carries the name of the 1952 Ramlila of old Tehri town and is reviving that tradition in Dehradun. It is a good choice if you want a traditional staging close to the city centre.
3. Rajpur Ramlila (77th Year)
- Dates: Navratri 2026
- Venue: Rajpur, Dehradun
- Highlight: One of the oldest Ramlilas in Dehradun, staged continuously for over seven decades
Rajpur’s Ramlila is a neighbourhood favourite. Pair it with dinner at one of the cafes on Rajpur Road.
4. Parade Ground Dussehra (October 20)
The city’s biggest Dussehra event is the 79th Dussehra Mahotsav at Parade Ground on October 20, organised by the Bannu Biradari. It burns a record 181-foot Ravan along with Kumbhkaran, Meghnad and Lanka. Entry closes at 4 PM. See our Dussehra 2026 Dehradun guide for timings, the Shobha Yatra route, traffic diversions and parking.
5. 31st Dussehra Mela, Rajiv Nagar, Doiwala (October 20)
- Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2026
- Venue: Mela ground, Rajiv Nagar, Doiwala
- Organiser: Patra Dussehra Mela evam Krida Samiti
- Highlight: Ravan and Meghnad effigy burning
A good, less crowded option if you live towards Doiwala, Bhaniyawala or Jolly Grant.
Ramlila in Dehradun After Dussehra
Missed the Navratri Ramlilas? These two run later in Dehradun district.
6. Shri Ramlila, Athurwala (Jolly Grant), from October 24
- Starts: Saturday, October 24, 2026
- Venue: Ramlila Ground, Athurwala, near Jolly Grant
- Organiser: Shri Ramlila Samiti Athurwala
- Highlight: Revived after about 45 years; the committee took out a Hanuman flag procession to mark the start
7. Nayi Ekta Ramlila, Vikasnagar, November 1–5
- Dates: November 1–5, 2026
- Venue: Vikasnagar (the committee meets at the Sanatan Dharma Mandir premises; confirm the staging ground locally)
- Organiser: Nayi Ekta Ramlila evam Sanskritik Manch
This is the last scheduled Ramlila in Dehradun district this season, and a good option if you live on the Vikasnagar, Selaqui or Sahaspur side.
Ramlila Near Dehradun (Rishikesh Side)
If you are willing to drive about an hour, Rishikesh and Muni Ki Reti also have well-known Ramlilas this season:
- Subhash Bankhandi Ramlila (66th year), Rishikesh: from October 7
- Maa Ganga Ramlila, Chaudah Bigha, Muni Ki Reti: October 11–20
- Ravan Dahan in Rishikesh on October 20: Triveni Ghat, THDC, Chaudah Bigha and IDPL Ramlila Maidan
A Different Dussehra: Jaunsar-Bawar
Not every part of Dehradun district burns Ravan. In the Jaunsar-Bawar hill region, villages such as Kuroli and Utpalta mark Dussehra as the Painta festival, with a symbolic Gagli yudh (a ritual mock battle) instead of effigy burning. It is a unique local tradition worth knowing about if you are interested in Uttarakhand’s culture.
What Happens at a Ramlila: The Usual Order of Scenes
Each committee follows its own schedule, but most Dehradun Ramlilas move through the Ramayan in roughly this order across 10 to 12 nights:
- Ganesh puja and opening, Narad Moh
- Ram Janm (birth of Ram)
- Tadka vadh and Vishwamitra’s yagna
- Dhanush yagna and Sita Swayamvar
- Ram Vanvas (exile)
- Kevat prasang and Bharat Milap in the forest
- Surpanakha episode and Sita Haran
- Hanuman’s meeting with Ram, Lanka Dahan
- Lakshman Shakti and the war scenes
- Ravan vadh on Dussehra
- Ram Rajyabhishek (coronation) after Dussehra
If you want to see a particular scene, such as Sita Swayamvar or Lanka Dahan, ask the committee for that night’s programme.
Tips for Watching Ramlila in Dehradun
- Entry is usually free. Most community Ramlilas do not charge for entry; seating is often on durries or chairs on a first-come basis.
- Go early for the big nights. Sita Swayamvar, Lanka Dahan and the last two nights draw the biggest crowds.
- Carry a shawl. October nights in Dehradun get cool, especially on open grounds.
- Parking is limited around neighbourhood grounds; walk or take an auto if you live nearby.
- On Dussehra (October 20), expect road closures around Parade Ground from midday.
Ramlila in Dehradun 2026: FAQs
Where is Ramlila happening in Dehradun in 2026?
The main Ramlilas are at Danda Lakhaund on Sahastradhara Road (October 9–21), Race Course (Tehri 1952 Ramlila) and Rajpur (77th year). Athurwala near Jolly Grant starts on October 24 and Vikasnagar runs November 1–5.
When does Ramlila end in Dehradun?
Most city Ramlilas end around Dussehra (October 20) or the day after, with Ram’s coronation. The Danda Lakhaund Ramlila runs until October 21.
Is there any Ramlila in Dehradun after Dussehra?
Yes. The revived Shri Ramlila at Athurwala (Jolly Grant) starts on October 24, and the Nayi Ekta Ramlila in Vikasnagar runs from November 1 to 5.
Is there an entry fee for Ramlila in Dehradun?
Community Ramlilas are generally free to watch. Check with the organising committee if seating passes are used.
Where is Ravan Dahan in Dehradun in 2026?
The biggest Ravan Dahan is at Parade Ground on October 20, with a 181-foot Ravan. The 31st Dussehra Mela at Rajiv Nagar, Doiwala also burns Ravan and Meghnad effigies the same day.
Which is the oldest Ramlila in Dehradun?
Among the Ramlilas covered here, Rajpur’s is the oldest, now in its 77th year.
More Dehradun Insider Guides
- Dussehra 2026 Dehradun: Ravan Dahan Venues, Timings & Traffic
- Sahastradhara: Timings, Entry Fee & Ropeway
- Maldevta Dehradun: Things to Do
- Best Cafes on Rajpur Road
- Best Cafes in Dehradun (2026)
- Centrio Mall Dehradun Guide
- Tourist Places in Dehradun 2026
Final Word
Ramlila is one of the best ways to feel Dehradun’s festive spirit. Catch the last nights at Danda Lakhaund, Race Course or Rajpur before Dussehra, or plan for Athurwala and Vikasnagar if you prefer a quieter evening later in the season. Dehradun Insider will add more venues as committees announce them.
