No Ravan Dahan! Why this Rajasthan village celebrates Dussehra by killing Ravan with bow and arrow, not buring

Across India, Dussehra celebrations traditionally conclude with the burning of Ravan's effigy, symbolising the victory of good over evil. However, in Ropa village in the Shahpura area of Rajasthan's Bhilwara district, the ritual follows a different path. Instead of Ravan Dahan, the village observes Ravan Vadh, a symbolic slaying of the demon king.

At the heart of the village stands a permanent, 10-foot-tall cement statue of Ravan, believed to have been built around 100 years ago. Rather than burning it, villagers repaint the statue every year before Dussehra and preserve it for the annual ritual, which is performed using a bow and arrow.

Ropa Village's Unique Dussehra Tradition

On Dussehra, villagers gather at Ravan Chowk as children and young people dress up as characters from the Ramayana. A child portraying Ram performs the symbolic killing of Ravan, while people from neighbouring villages arrive to witness the distinctive celebration.


The tradition has given Ropa a unique identity in the surrounding region, earning it the nickname “Ravan ka Gaon.”

The celebrations take place over two days. On the day before Dussehra, the village organises Lanka Dahan, with children dressed as Hanuman taking part in the enactment and proceeding towards Ravan Chowk.

The following day, the festivities conclude with Ravan Vadh, when a young performer dressed as Ram symbolically slays Ravan with a bow and arrow. Unlike the customary practice of setting an effigy on fire, the village preserves its permanent statue and repeats the ritual every year.

Why Ropa Village Does Not Burn Ravan's Effigy

Pandit Satyanarayan Sharma explains that the village's unusual observance stems from the respect residents have for Ravan. Rather than viewing him solely as a villain, many in the village regard him as a learned scholar.

The permanent statue also reflects this approach. Instead of reducing Ravan's effigy to ashes, residents perform a symbolic slaying that allows them to maintain the tradition while preserving the statue for future generations.

[With TOI inputs]