Dussehra 2026: Places in India where Ravana is worshipped instead of burning his effigy
However, some communities focus on other aspects of Ravana’s life, including his knowledge, devotion to Lord Shiva and family connections.
PTC News Desk: On the evening of October 20, people across India will gather to watch the burning of Ravana’s effigies as part of Dussehra celebrations. However, in some towns and villages, the festival is observed differently. People light lamps, offer prayers and, in some places, even mourn instead of celebrating Ravana’s defeat.
Dussehra 2026 falls on Tuesday, October 20. For these communities, Ravana is not simply a villain defeated by Lord Ram. He is remembered as a learned scholar, a devotee of Lord Shiva, an ancestor or even a family member.
One festival, different traditions
For most people, Vijayadashami celebrates Lord Ram’s victory over Ravana and symbolises the triumph of good over evil. In eastern India, the day is also associated with Goddess Durga’s victory over Mahishasura.
However, some communities focus on other aspects of Ravana’s life, including his knowledge, devotion to Lord Shiva and family connections. Their traditions reflect the diversity of religious beliefs and cultural practices across India.
Payal, Punjab
In the Payal area of Ludhiana district, Punjab, the Dubey family has followed a tradition of worshipping Ravana for seven generations. The ritual is reportedly performed at a Ram temple, despite the widespread practice of burning his effigy on Dussehra.
According to the family’s tradition, blood from a goat’s ear is used as vermilion for Ravana. The family also serves liquor to visitors during the occasion.
Family members Vinod Dubey and Akhil Prakash Dubey said their ancestors migrated from Payal to Haridwar. According to their account, a sadhu advised their ancestors on how to fulfil their wish to have a child and asked them to attend Ramlila and celebrate Dussehra.
Bisrakh, Uttar Pradesh
Bisrakh, a village near Greater Noida, is believed by local residents to be Ravana’s birthplace. According to local tradition, Ravana was born here to sage Vishrava and Kaikesi.
A temple in the village is associated with a Shiva Lingam that Ravana and his father are believed to have worshipped. Because of these beliefs, some residents do not follow the usual tradition of celebrating Ravana’s defeat.
Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
Kanpur has a Ravana temple in the Shivala area that remains closed for most of the year and opens on Dussehra. On this day, devotees offer prayers to Ravana’s idol.
The tradition reflects the belief that Ravana was not only a powerful king but also a learned scholar and a devotee of Lord Shiva.
Kullu, Himachal Pradesh
Kullu is known for its distinctive Dussehra celebrations, which differ from the traditions followed in many other parts of India.
Instead of burning effigies of Ravana, Meghnath and Kumbhakarna, the festival features a grand Rath Yatra and religious processions involving local deities. Lord Raghunath is the central deity of the celebrations.
The seven-day fair highlights the region’s traditions of deity worship and community gatherings rather than the burning of Ravana’s effigy.
Bastar, Chhattisgarh
Some tribal communities in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh regard Ravana as an ancestor and a hero. Instead of burning his effigy, they follow their own traditional rituals.
Bastar’s Dussehra celebrations are also known for their unusual length, lasting around 75 days. A special ritual called “Raini” forms part of the region’s distinctive festival traditions.
For communities that revere Ravana, these practices reflect their belief that he protected their people and deserves respect.
Amravati, Maharashtra
Some communities in Maharashtra’s Amravati district view Ravana as an ideal figure because of his knowledge and wisdom. Rather than burning his effigy on Dussehra, people in these communities light lamps in their homes.
Sanskrit scholar Mast Ram Sharma said tribal communities also recognise the bravery and penance associated with Meghnath, Ravana’s son, who was known as Indrajit after defeating Indra in the Ramayana.
According to Sharma, the worship of such figures reflects the diversity of India’s cultural traditions.
In the Melghat region of Amravati district, the Gond and Korku tribal communities do not perform Ravana Dahan on Dussehra. Instead, they worship Meghnath, also known as Indrajit.
Special teakwood pillars are decorated in villages as symbols associated with Meghnath. A dedicated Meghnath Puja is also held during Holi.
For these communities, Holi and Nag Panchami hold greater importance than Diwali and Dussehra.
These varied traditions show that Dussehra is observed differently across India. While the burning of Ravana remains a central part of the festival for many people, other communities preserve customs that focus on his learning, devotion, ancestry and cultural significance.