It would be worthwhile to know about the flip side of the Dussehra celebrations that extols Sri Rama's victory over King Ravana. There are six places where Ravana is worshipped in India and here's a rundown of those places.
1. Mandsaur, MP.
Situated at the MP-Rajasthan border, it's the paternal home of Ravana's wife, Mandodari. Ravana's
worshipped and respected for his unparalleled knowledge and devout dedication to Lord Shiva.
During Dussehra, people mourn the death of Ravana and hold prayers. The place boasts of a 35 ft
statue of Ravana!
2. Bisrakh, UP.
Bisrakh derives its name after Rishi Vishrava - the father of Ravana. It's the birthplace of Ravana
and he's considered a 'maha brahmin' here. It's believed that Vishrava discovered a Swayambhu
(Self manifested) Shiva Linga and since then it has been worshipped by the locals. People perform
yagnas and peace prayers for Ravana's soul during the Navratri festival.
3. Gadchiroli, Maharashtra.
The Gond tribe of Gadchiroli worship Dashana(Ravana) and his son, Meghnad as Gods. They
extend adulation to Ravana during the tribal festival, Falgun. As per the Gonds, Ravana was never
demonised in the Valmiki Ramayana and Sage Valmiki clearly mentions that Ravana did not do
anything wrong or malign Sita. It's in Tulsidas' Ramayana that Ravana was considered a cruel
king and devilish.
4. Kangra, HP.
Ravana 'dahan' is also not observed in the beautiful district of Kangra in Himachal Pradesh. As
the legend goes, Ravana appeased Lord Shiva with his devotion and austerity at Baijnath Kangra.
It is believed that Lord Shiva granted him his boon here. Hence, Ravana is revered as a great
devotee of Lord Shiva.
5. Mandya and Kolar, Karnataka.
There are many temples of Lord Shiva where Ravana is also worshipped for his unfathomable
devotion for Lord Shiva. During the harvest festival, Lankadipathi(The king of Lanka) is
worshipped by the people of Kolar district in Karnataka. In a procession along with Lord
Shiva's idol, a ten headed(Dashanan) and twenty armed idol of Ravana is also worshipped by the
locals. In the Mandya district, a temple of Ravana is visited by the Hindu devotees to honour his
dedication to Lord Shiva.
6. Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
The Maudgil Brahmins of Jodhpur are said to have come from Lanka during Ravana's marriage
to Mandodari. The marriage was performed at Ravan Kin Chanwari at Mandore. Rather than
burning effigies of Ravana, Shraadh and Pind Daan is performed as per Hindu rituals for the
Lankeshwar by his descendants, the Maudgil Brahmins of Jodhpur.
Tailpiece.
1. Happened to watch the Super Dancer 2 Reality show on Sony television, this evening at 2000 hrs. The talent exhibited by the contestants aged between 5 and 12 years is awesome, to say the least. Among them, I was touched by 5 year old Vaishnavi's - from Panipat - dancing skills trained by her handicapped 'Guru' Bhande. Her leg movements were taught by him with his hand movements! Rarely do I let emotions overpower me while I watch a movie or a television programme but this evening, I realised that my eyes were moist at the end of it!!
2. Was proud to listen to my course mate and friend, Lt Gen DS Hooda taking on questions about the surgical strikes from Arnab Goswami on Republic television at 2100 hrs, on the eve of its first anniversary. Attaboy Hooda, way to go!
1. Mandsaur, MP.
Situated at the MP-Rajasthan border, it's the paternal home of Ravana's wife, Mandodari. Ravana's
worshipped and respected for his unparalleled knowledge and devout dedication to Lord Shiva.
During Dussehra, people mourn the death of Ravana and hold prayers. The place boasts of a 35 ft
statue of Ravana!
2. Bisrakh, UP.
Bisrakh derives its name after Rishi Vishrava - the father of Ravana. It's the birthplace of Ravana
and he's considered a 'maha brahmin' here. It's believed that Vishrava discovered a Swayambhu
(Self manifested) Shiva Linga and since then it has been worshipped by the locals. People perform
yagnas and peace prayers for Ravana's soul during the Navratri festival.
3. Gadchiroli, Maharashtra.
The Gond tribe of Gadchiroli worship Dashana(Ravana) and his son, Meghnad as Gods. They
extend adulation to Ravana during the tribal festival, Falgun. As per the Gonds, Ravana was never
demonised in the Valmiki Ramayana and Sage Valmiki clearly mentions that Ravana did not do
anything wrong or malign Sita. It's in Tulsidas' Ramayana that Ravana was considered a cruel
king and devilish.
4. Kangra, HP.
Ravana 'dahan' is also not observed in the beautiful district of Kangra in Himachal Pradesh. As
the legend goes, Ravana appeased Lord Shiva with his devotion and austerity at Baijnath Kangra.
It is believed that Lord Shiva granted him his boon here. Hence, Ravana is revered as a great
devotee of Lord Shiva.
5. Mandya and Kolar, Karnataka.
There are many temples of Lord Shiva where Ravana is also worshipped for his unfathomable
devotion for Lord Shiva. During the harvest festival, Lankadipathi(The king of Lanka) is
worshipped by the people of Kolar district in Karnataka. In a procession along with Lord
Shiva's idol, a ten headed(Dashanan) and twenty armed idol of Ravana is also worshipped by the
locals. In the Mandya district, a temple of Ravana is visited by the Hindu devotees to honour his
dedication to Lord Shiva.
6. Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
The Maudgil Brahmins of Jodhpur are said to have come from Lanka during Ravana's marriage
to Mandodari. The marriage was performed at Ravan Kin Chanwari at Mandore. Rather than
burning effigies of Ravana, Shraadh and Pind Daan is performed as per Hindu rituals for the
Lankeshwar by his descendants, the Maudgil Brahmins of Jodhpur.
Tailpiece.
1. Happened to watch the Super Dancer 2 Reality show on Sony television, this evening at 2000 hrs. The talent exhibited by the contestants aged between 5 and 12 years is awesome, to say the least. Among them, I was touched by 5 year old Vaishnavi's - from Panipat - dancing skills trained by her handicapped 'Guru' Bhande. Her leg movements were taught by him with his hand movements! Rarely do I let emotions overpower me while I watch a movie or a television programme but this evening, I realised that my eyes were moist at the end of it!!
2. Was proud to listen to my course mate and friend, Lt Gen DS Hooda taking on questions about the surgical strikes from Arnab Goswami on Republic television at 2100 hrs, on the eve of its first anniversary. Attaboy Hooda, way to go!
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