Raj Sadosh/Abohar.

The town markets wore a deserted look right from the Saturday morning as arrival of customers from the villages was thin due to peak of the gram panchayat elections, this did affect Dasehra festival a little.

People warmly greeted the procession that was taken out carrying tableaux depicting various episodes of the Ramayana. The procession started in the evening from the Ramlila Ground to reach the Government Boys Senior Secondary Adarsh School ground where Dasehra is celebrated each year.

Media Coordinator Deepak Mehta said that Ramlila has a special status in Abohar. Shri Sanatan Dharam Ramnatak Club had been organising Ramlila since 1943. Residents recall that artists from Muslim and Sikh families also used to play roles on the stage. The event had benefited hundreds of vendors as people needed something to eat and drink during the two to three hours of sitting. Sometime back, artists were called from far-off cities also but the practice was discontinued to highlight local talent later.