Ramlila is a dramatic representation, very popular in North India, of the victory of lord Rama over Ravana and the recovery of Sita. An enclosure is made of bamboos, covered with paper and painted to represent a fortress. Within it is a frightful paper giant, fifteen feet high with ten or twelve arms, each grasping a sword, a bow, a battle-axe or a spear. At his feet is Sita sitting disconsolate, guarded by two figures to represent demons. Hanuman is represented as hairy, with a long tail tied round his waist, a mask to represent the head of a baboon, and two great painted clubs in his hands. His army follows a number of men with similar tails and masks, their bodies dyed with indigo, and also armed with clubs. After Ravana is slain by Rama, the images of Ravana and the other giants with their fortress, are set on tire and consumed, the festival concludes with Sita's release, purification, and remarriage to Rama.
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