Evil goes up in smoke, gusto marks Dussehra festivities

NEW DELHI: Giant effigies of ten-headed demon king Ravana, his son Meghnad and brother Kumbhakaran went up in flames marking the triumph of good over evil as fervour marked Dussehra festivities across the country today.

Crowds burst into cheers as the fire crackers-stuffed effigies, dotting grounds and open spaces, crackled in fiery splendour at sundown.

With police keeping a hawk-eye vigil, the festivities passed off peacefully in different parts of the country.

Celebrations, however, were low-key in the country's east coast where a cyclone, the country's worst in 14 years, wreaked havoc leaving a trail of destruction.

In Delhi, President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice-President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi were among a large number of dignitaries who saw the evil going up in smoke at Parade and Ramlila grounds.

Dussehra, which also marks the end of scorching summer and heralding of winter, is preceded by nine auspicious days of Navaratri during which devotees pray, fast and feast.

Ramlilas, vivid enactments from the life of Lord Rama, were staged in large parts of the country during the nine days preceding the festival.

A number of fairs were also held on the occasion of Dussehra which also symbolises the triumph of warrior Goddess Durga over buffalo demon Mahishasura.

Giant effigies of ten-headed demon king Ravana, his son Meghnad and brother Kumbhakaran went up in flames marking the triumph of good over evil.

In Kashmir Valley, hundreds of people, braving showers, thronged the polo ground in summer capital Srinagar to witness the towering effigies going up in flames.

Mahanavami, signifying the third and penultimate day of Goddess Durga's visit to earth, was celebrated in West Bengal as rains, triggered by cyclone Phailin, drenched parts of the state.

Bollywood celebrities took time out to wish their fans happiness, health and prosperity on the auspicious occasion.

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan tweeted "A most prosperous and happy Dussehra and Vijaydashmi to all... victory over evil and conquest over all the bad that exists."

In scenic Himachal Pradesh, the week-long Kullu Dussehra festival will start tomorrow with the traditional Rath Yatra of Lord Raghunathji at sprawling Dhalpur Maidan.

Kullu Dussehra is an amalgam of history, culture and customs and the entire valley remains agog with fervour for a week.