Kanpur/Mirzapur/Lucknow, 20 Oct (HS): The tradition of

burning Ravana is being followed across the country on Vijayadashami. On

Dussehra today, Ravana will be burned across Uttar Pradesh, from a 90-foot

monster in Kanpur to a one-headed effigy in Varanasi. The demon king, however,

is never burned at Vindhyachal or Mirzapur. When Lord Ram's arrow strikes him,

townspeople rush in to steal the effigy, as has been customary for ages. Vijayadashami,

which commemorates the triumph of good over evil, is often marked by the

burning of an effigy after sunset Ramlila. Vindhyachal alters that ending. The

final ritual act is the arrow, which is completed by the audience. Whatever

piece of the effigy a person gets to take home with them is believed by locals

to bring wealth and tranquility.

Acharya Pt Anupam Maharaj, a Vindhyadham scholar, stated

that the occurrence takes at about 10 p.m. on Vijayadashami near the Amravati

crossing in the Vindhya area. Lord Ram appears, discharges his arrow at the

effigy, and within minutes, villagers take it away. According to Maharaj, the

tradition dates back hundreds of years and is based on academic view that

Ravana was a Brahmin. Therefore, burning an effigy is deemed improper. Looting

originated as a tactic to humiliate and dishonor him.

Meanwhile, Kanpur organizers claim the 90-foot Ravana at

Parade Ground is the highest in the state. Effigies will also blaze at

Motijheel, Armapur, Shastri Nagar, and Railbazar. The Dashanan temple in

Shivala performs a ritual for Ravana. A crowd of devotees gathered to worship

Ravana at the Dashanan temple located in Shivala, Kanpur. In this temple, which

opens only once a year on Dussehra, worship was performed with due rituals in

the morning. Devotees anointed the idol of Ravana with milk, curd and ghee, lit

oil lamps and prayed for their wishes. In the evening, the temple's doors will

be closed for a year.

Located in the Shivala area, this temple is known for its

unique tradition. While effigies of Ravana are burned across the country on

Vijayadashami, here he is worshipped as a symbol of power and a great scholar.

It is believed that Ravana was not only a great devotee of Lord Shiva but also

a profound scholar of the scriptures. For this reason, devotees pray to him and

pray for strength, wisdom, and knowledge.

According to tradition, the temple doors were opened on

Dussehra morning and the Ravana idol was decorated. This was followed by puja

and aarti. Devotees lit mustard oil lamps and offered yellow flowers. The

temple first worships Goddess Chinnamasta, followed by an aarti for Dashanana.

In the evening, the temple doors will be closed, and devotees will have to wait

until the next Vijayadashami to have darshan.

Temple priest Ram Bajpai said on Tuesday that in 1868, the

then king built the temple of Maa Chinnamasta. A five-foot-tall statue of

Ravana was also installed alongside it. It is believed to be installed as the

goddess's guardian. According to religious belief, Ravana also worshipped the

goddess and was a devout devotee of Lord Shiva. For this reason, a special

tradition of worshipping him on Dussehra has been established here.

Devotee Deepika explained that the Dashanan Temple tradition

is different from other places. Here, worship is performed to commemorate

Ravana's wisdom and knowledge. She said she came to the temple to pray for

happiness, prosperity, and positivity in her family's life.

Devotee Raju explained that he came here to visit because of

the beliefs associated with Ravana's scholarship and knowledge. According to

him, worshipping at this temple on Dussehra is a unique experience. Devotees

here seek inspiration from Ravana's scholarship and pray for strength, wisdom,

and knowledge.

A high-tech Ravana will stroll onto the field at the

Aishbagh Ramlila grounds in Lucknow, moving its arms and legs and waving a

sword. Fireworks will last around 45 minutes after the dahan. The Ramlila will

employ AI-generated sceneries, while the Ram Barat will have a computerized

elephant. According to the committee, Goswami Tulsidas founded the Ramlila here

around 500 years ago.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi