Ravana

Dussehra was celebrated across the country on Saturday with revellers coming out in large numbers to witness the burning of Ravana effigies, marking a spectacular culmination of 10-day of festivities filled with rituals, songs, dance and processions. Effigies of the demon king, his brother Kumbhakarna and son Meghnad went up in flames at open grounds with the attending crowds erupting as the firecrackers from the burning effigies illuminated the night sky. Social media platforms were awash with colourful, celebratory posts with people wishing each other health and happiness. President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the festivities at the Red Fort Parade Ground where they were welcomed by the organisers of Sri Dharmik Leela Committee. The festival celebrates Lord Rama's vanquishing the 10-headed demon king Ravana, and symbolises the triumph of good over evil. Huge Durga puja pandals were set up across venues showcasing designs based on a variety of innovative

The book traces his reign to the Kumana region using a mix of archaeological finds and the abundant regional legends and folklore around him

The Bharatiya Janata Party in Chhattisgarh posted a cartoon of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, which showed him as "Ravan", and said that "this time, Ravana of corruption will be burnt"

While the name Dussehra is more common in North Indian states and Karnataka, Vijayadashami is popular in West Bengal

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Several people had a narrow escape during a Dussehra event in Haryana's Yamunanagar on Wednesday when a burning effigy of Ravana fell while they were trying to go near it. Police said no one was injured in the incident. Yamunanagar Superintendent of Police Mohit Handa said some people were trying to go near the burning effigy but police personnel present there pushed them back. Asked whether the effigy fell on any of the spectators, the SP said it did not. It may appear that the burning effigy fell on some people but it was not the case, said the SP while referring to a video clip of the incident doing the rounds on social media. "We have checked in hospitals and police personnel were also present on the spot. There was no injury to anyone," he said. Effigies of demon king Ravana, his son Meghnad and brother Kumbhakaran are set on fire on the occasion of Dussehra to celebrate the victory of good over evil.

The 10th day of Sharad Navratri is celebrated as Dussehra or Vijay Dashami

The year 2020 has been an unusual one, given the severe coronavirus health crisis facing the entire world

In Bisrakh, a sleepy village ahead of Noida, Ravana is many things but the archetypal villain from The Ramayana