Dussehra: Know The Significance Of Ritual Of Ravana Dahan On Vijayadashami

Every year, Dussehra is celebrated across the country with great enthusiasm and joy. Along with the festivities, it has a spiritual demand for the victory of Dharma over Adharma. Our long-running traditions and rituals have various ways of showcasing the same. One such tradition is the Ravana Dahan i.e., burning effigies of King Ravana, Meghnath and Kumbhkaran to mark Lord Rama’s victory on Vijayadasami. As per mythology, Ravana, the ten-headed king of Lanka, imprisoned Sita who is believed to be a symbol of dharma. Rama with his Vanar Sena approached Lanka and defeated the demon king to free Sita. Thus, the day is celebrated as a win of good over evil. And we perform Ravan Dahan to celebrate this victory. Ravana’s ten heads represent ten human emotions that is anger, jealousy, ego, lust, greed, pride, attachment, selfishness, injustice and cruelty. People believe that the burning of Ravana and other demon effigies represents the elimination of the negativity in oneself.