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In Pictures: Good wins over evil on Dussehra

Effigies of the mythological demon king Ravana were burnt on Sunday to mark the Hindu festival in India.

An effigy of demon king Ravana is set ablaze during Dussehra festival celebrations in Jammu. Dussehra, which is celebrated at the end of the Navratri (nine nights) festival, symbolises the victory of good over evil in Hindu mythology.
By Showkat Shafi
Published On 14 Oct 2013

The good has just won over evil in India.

Hindus across the country on Sunday celebrated Dussehra by burning effigies of the mythological demon king Ravana in a symbolic gesture of vanquishing the bad.

Thousands attended the festivities that took place at Red Fort Ground in the capital New Delhi and elsewhere.

According to Hindu mythology, the demon king Ravana was defeated by Hindu god Rama on this day.

The victory is re-enacted in open spaces across the country by burning the effigies of Ravana, his son Meghnad and brother Kumbhakarna. The effigies are stuffed with firecrackers and when they are set alight, it makes for a very noisy spectacle.

This year, a fourth effigy was added in New Delhi: to destroy evil forces behind a recent spurt in crimes against women in the country.

Last year, the fourth effigy symbolised corruption.

Follow Showkat Shafi on Twitter: @ShowkatShafi

This feature is a part of our ongoing special India coverage. To read more stories click here.

An artisan gives final touches to the effigy of Ravana.
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It is painstaking work and artisans spend days in preparing for the celebrations.
When Dussehra finally arrives, the effigies of Ravana, his son Meghnad and brother Kumbhakarna are burned. This year, a fourth effigy was added in New Delhi: to destroy evil forces behind a recent spurt in crimes against women in the country.
The effigy of Ravana goes up in flames during Dussehra celebrations.
Indian devotees dressed as Hindu monkey god Hanuman celebrate as Ravana goes up in flames.
It is an annual spectacle that draws huge crowds.
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The day is also marked by enacting scenes from mythological tales with people dressing up as gods and goddesses.
Mythological plays are staged on the occasion. Ram Leela is a dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Hindu god Rama that is staged over a period of 10 days across various parts of India.
Theatre artists perform Ram Leela at Red Fort Ground, New Delhi.
More than a hundred thousand people turned up at Red Fort Ground in New Delhi to watch the festivities.
The night sky lit up as Ravana went up in flames with fire crackers going off.
Devotees dressed as Hindu god Rama add colour and piety to the occasion.
Demon King Ravana finds himself at the receiving end on the day. Here, a man dressed as the king covers his ears as effigies are burned.
Next year, the same routine would be followed and effigies of Ravana would again be built, only to be burned down again.