Stories
How Uttar Pradesh Celebrates Dussehra Differently From AI Effigies To Ancient Loot Rituals
- •In Vindhyachal, locals do not burn Ravana but instead loot his effigy after Lord Ram shoots an arrow, a centuries-old custom believed to bring prosperity and peace due to his Brahmin status.
- •Kanpur hosts Uttar Pradesh's tallest 90-foot Ravana effigy at Parade Ground while maintaining a tradition of worshiping the demon king at the historic Dashanan temple in Shivala.
- •Lucknow embraces modern technology for Dussehra at Aishbagh Ramlila ground, featuring a hi-tech walking Ravana effigy, AI-generated scenes, and a digital elephant in the Ram Barat.
- •Varanasi marks Vijayadashami with various effigy sizes including a single-headed Ravana, alongside a symbolic burning of a deshghati cockroach to promote cleanliness and national unity.
Key Questions Answered
In Vindhyachal, locals do not burn Ravana because he was a Brahmin by lineage, making his effigy burning inappropriate. Instead, once Lord Ram's arrow strikes the effigy, crowds loot it to humble him and take home pieces believed to bring peace and prosperity.
Lucknow features a high-tech celebration where a digital effigy of Ravana walks onto the field, moves its arms and legs, and waves a sword. The event also includes AI-generated scenes, a digital elephant in the Ram Barat, and 45 minutes of fireworks after the dahan.
Kanpur houses a 135-year-old Dashanan Mandir in the Shivala locality dedicated to Ravana, which opens its doors to devotees for just one day each year on Dussehra. Devotees gather in the morning to worship him for his profound wisdom and devotion to Lord Shiva, contrasting with the evening effigy burnings across the city.
