Ravana burning at Dussehra

Ravana catching fire at Dussehra, October 2011.

Dussehra is a popular festival of the Hindus, and it marks the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana. Dussehra is also a symbolization of the triumph of warrior Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon, Mahishasura. Thus, it is a celebration of victory over evil. Also known as Vijaya Dasami, on this day theatrical enactments of this dramatic encounter is held throughout the country. In northern India, huge effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkarna and Meghnath are laid out in a vast open ground. Fireworks and crackers are placed inside the effigies. Artists dresses up as Rama, Sita and Lakshmana to enact the final moments of the battle. After the enactment, Rama takes his bow and shoots at the huge effigies with an arrow with a burning tip.

Here is footage of the burning of effigies even as the crowds scream in cheer, as the crackers catch fire at Red Fort, Old Delhi !!

It is also called Dasara, Dashahara, Navaratri and Durgotsav. Dussehra is celebrating victory of Shakti over Mahishasura and also of Lord Rama over Ravana. Vijayadashami is celebrated on the tenth day of the Hindu autumn lunar month of Ashvin, or Ashwayuja which falls in September or October of the Western calendar, from the Shukla Paksha Pratipada, or the day after the new moon which falls in Bhadrapada, to the Dashami, or the tenth day of Ashvin.


"Dussehra takes place on the 6th of October, 2011"

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