Ravana Effigy Burning and Celebration of Dussehra
In North of India the Dussehra celebrations are a spectacle not to be missed, especially Ravana Effigy Burning, which signifies triumph of truth over evil.
We witnessed brilliantly decorated tableaux and processions depicting various episodes from Ram’s life in Kota, Rajasthan. The whole maidan was reverberating with high decibel music. The sequences of the war between Ram and Ravana were played by many amateur troupes through recitations and with enthusiasm. All these celebrations would finally culminate in burning the effigy of Ravana.
During Dussehra festival people of different localities in cities of North India organize theatrical re-enactment of Lord Rama’s life, The festival culminates in burning effigies of not just Ravana but also two other effigies, that of Meghnad(Indrajit) – Ravana’s son and Kumbhakaran – Ravana’s brother in some places.
Ravana Effigy in Kota Rajasthan
How Ravana got 10 heads?
In Hindu religion Ravana is depicted as the king of Rakshasas (demons). In all scriptures and pictures he is said to have ten heads. But he was not born with ten heads. Ravana got ten heads as a result of intense prayers and penance he performed to please God Brahma, the creator of world, and seek boons.
During his penance, Ravana chopped off his own head 10 times as a sacrifice to appease Brahma Dev, each time he chopped, a new head would appear. Tenth time when he chopped off his head Brahma appeared to grant him his boon. When Ravana asked for immortality, Brahma refused. Instead Brahma Dev gave him the celestial nectar of immortality, which was stored under his navel.
God Shiva was very pleased with his devotion and granted him with ten heads and twenty arms. Thus at the end of penance he had 10 heads.
Ravana was a learned king, it is believed that the 10 heads of Ravana represent the 6 shastras and 4 Vedas, which he had mastered. Symbolically, the 10 heads could represent Ravana’s mental power. He was considered to be 10 times that of an average human being.
Experts of Hindu shastras (religious texts) say, Ravana used to create the illusion of ten heads. In reality, he was single-headed, but in acts of deception, he used to fool his enemies by creating an illusion of having ten heads.
Significance of Ravana’s 10 heads
According to Hindu scriptures Ravana’s 10 heads symbolise the six Shastras and four Vedas. He was a great scholar and the most intelligent person of his time. The 10 heads represent the following:
- Sankhyashastra (Mathematics)
- Yog Shastra (Yoga as a way of life, meditation)
- Nyayashastra (Law and administration)
- Vaisheshik Shastra (Physics, astronomy, mechanics)
- Purvamimansa (Philosophy, Justification)
- Uttar Mimansa Shastra
- Rigveda
- Yajurveda
- Samveda
- Atharvaveda.
The 10 head also represents 10 loves which arouse 10 negative feelings. They are:
- Ego (ahankara) – Loving your designation, your post or qualifications
- Attachment (moha) – Loving your family and friends
- Regret (paschyataap) – Loving one’s perfect self
- Anger (krodha) – Loving/expecting perfection in others
- Hatred (ghrina) – Loving the past
- Fear (bhaya) – Loving the future
- Jealousy (irshya) – Loving/wanting to be ranked number one
- Greed (lobha) – Loving things
- Lust (kama) – Loving parts of the body of the opposite gender
- Insensitivity (jaddata) – Loving fame, money, and children
Other names of Ravana
Dashanan (one with 10 heads), Dashakantta ( one who possess ten throats), Dasagriva, meaning the one with ten heads.
How Ravana died?
Nandi, a bull – God Shiva’s vehicle, informed Ravana that Shiva and Parvati resided on the mountain, and that no one was allowed to pass. Ravana mocked Shiva and Nandi. Enraged by the insult to his master, Nandi cursed Ravana that monkeys would destroy him.
When Rama was unable to kill Ravana, Vibhishan (Ravana’s brother) revealed the secret of Ravana’s invulnerability to Rama. He told Rama that the nectar of immortality is below Ravana’s navel. With this knowledge, Rama was finally able to kill Ravana
Making of Effigies of Ravana
Bamboo, cane and sticks are used to get a skeletal form for the effigies. On this frame, the artists stick and wrap layers of old clothes, especially old saris and old newspapers to give the structure some bulk and form. These are dried under hot sun till they are firm and stable.
The final colourful artwork is now done to give human features. They use brightly colored papers and sheets painted with metallic paints. The real talent and skill is reflected in this final touch. The more ferocious and life like the effigies are, the more popular the artisans become.
Some are stuffed with firecrackers too. When they are finally lit up ceremoniously on the final day of Dussehra it is a grand show of light and might! These festival times are when the craftsmen make some money for their daily living. And they take up more work to help themselves tide over the year’s expenses.
The festival, which marks the end of nine-day festivities of Navratri, is celebrated in full swing across the country. Dussehra festival marks the victory of Ram over Ravan, who had abducted Ram’s wife Sita hence, Dussehra also signifies getting rid of sins or bad qualities by burning the effigies of Ravan – the demon king – along with that of Meghnad (Indrajit, Ravana’s son) and Kumbhakarna (Ravana’s brother).
Burning of Ravan’s effigy is called Ravan dahan.
While most parts of India celebrate Dussehra in this manner, there are some places where burning Ravana effigy is considered a sin. People in Baijnath respect Ravana for his devotion to Lord Shiva. It is believed that people burning his effigy will face Shiva’s wrath and die an unnatural death.
As the actors dressed as Ram, his consort Sita, and brother Lakshman arrived, the crowd around cheered. There was Hanuman, the Monkey God too. They would later shoot arrows of fire at these effigies, which are stuffed with firecrackers.
Child actors dressed as Ram and Lakshman
Hanuman in the play
The only disappointment was we could not stay back till midnight to witness the final act of setting the mammoth effigies of Ravana to fire.
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From that date to this date, Ravana’s Country is always in problems..!!!
I’d like to see that one myself! The closest I’ve come was the Diwali festival in Cary. But it came so early this year, it could have almost been Dussehra!
Too bad you couldn’t stay to see the effigy exploding in flames – that would have been really cool. This is just fascinating – thanks!
Impressive snaps. I am happy to know that you covered this event.
I have never seen dussera in the north, i am curious as to how they celebrated it! Thanks for the insight…i must definitely make it to N India during October sometime! Great pics as usual!
That’s interesting. 🙂
Thank you for sharing the culture with us. It is an educational experience to drop by here.
Oh, he’s lovely.
i was watching all this in Delhi 6 recently..Sometimes I wonder how the Ramayana & Mahabharata won such mass appeal and the real history behind them..
I saw the movie Delhi 6 yesterday where they show Ram leela. It reminded me of your post.
Wow, what an interesting tradition. Amazing photos! Thank you for telling us about it.
🙂
One of the most enduring tales with ageless appeal to all ages – the triumph of good over evil.
Wow! What an amazing sight. Thank you for sharing something that so many of us would not even be aware of — absolutely fascinating!
Oh my! what fun!
These are all so fascinating but that first shot is my fave!
As always, a great cultural education! Too bad you missed the fire. I’m sure that would be exciting to witness.
Thanks for the pictures and the links to give us more background. Once again I learned a lot. Thanks.
that is a festival I wouldn’t miss either. we have a festival DUGDERAN here in Semarang with a figure of Warak Ngendhog going around the city.
I might have to post about it one day
wow, how nice to see your pictures from a far away land, from my chair. 😉 Thank you for explaining these pictures, I’m very impressed by its story. Best wishes, from germany, Jeany’s Brunnen
I love the way festivals are celebrated in India. I grew up in South India, so never saw this. Your post makes me want to spend the next Dussehra in Delhi
It is always a pleasure when I come over here as the photos are always lovely and I always learn something!
umm..the post brought back memories of somethg I heard recently in a conference..and I am going to be a spoil sport and share that with u later..nevertheless, a very colourful post I must say..
must have been fun!
Now that would have been a fun site to see at night!
What is so impressive with your travels, is the pride of the people in who and what they are! We all need to be the same way…in the good pride way that is.
Have a great weekend!
Ramayan Ramayan !! ala narad !
Wow, fascinating and so much interesting info on your world. Great pics too!
nice series of clicks
http://delhiwithavinash.blogspot.com/
Wow. I am such a bumpkin compared to your jet setting self. I love it!
I think the pictures are great and I think that the really big thing in the first picture looks kinda cool
I love that first picture, I would so like to get a closer look at him! Is there someone on his head with that parasol? He is amazing, very funny!
It looks like a lot of fun was had by all. Love the first couple of pictures
There’s so much to this story, glad you included the link. Great photos, and yes, seeing the fire in the evening would have been amazing as well. Sorry you (and we) missed it! Quite a celebration!