An artisan applies final touches to an effigy of Ravana in Jammu, India

© Mukesh Gupta/Reuter

Celebrating the victory of good over evil

It’s Vijayadashami (also called Dasara or Dussehra) today and we are seeing the effigies of the demon king Ravana. The epic Ramayana has stated that on the day of Vijayadashami, Lord Rama killed Ravana. As per legend, Ravana had abducted Lord Rama’s wife Sita, and to bring her home, Lord Rama had to wage war against the demon king. The idea of symbolising Lord Rama's win over Ravana has brought upon the tradition of burning effigies of Ravana. It marks the triumph of good over evil and is celebrated in different ways across the country.

Giant effigies of ten-headed demon king Ravana, his son Meghnad, and brother Kumbhakarna went up in flames on Vijayadashami. Various cultural programmes are also conducted in many parts of the country for people to enjoy. Many places also have a culture of enacting the story of Ramayana in a drama format before burning Ravana's effigy.