Have you ever heard of any place where people worship Ravana? Well, it’s true. The holy Hindu festival of Dussehra is widely observed throughout the nation with great excitement. The celebration represents the victory of good over evil. It also symbolizes Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana. The 10th day of the Ashwin month is when the Dussehra festival is celebrated. It is observed following the Navratri festival’s nine days. Many areas of the nation celebrate the day in various ways. The majority of the country celebrates it by setting Ravana effigies on fire. However, Ravana is worshipped in a few places. Know about these places and the reasons for Ravana’s worship there.
1. Bisrakh, Uttar Pradesh
People believe that Ravana was born in the village of Bisrakh, which is in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Many people claim that Vishrava, the name of Ravana’s father, is the source of the village’s name. Villagers do yagnas during Navratri to offer prayers for the well-being of Ravana’s soul. Before relocating to Lanka, Ravana spent his early years in this village. After receiving miraculous powers from Lord Brahma, Ravana and his brother Kumbhakarana captured Lanka. They used it to expel Kuber and take control of the golden kingdom.
2. Baijnath, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh
One of the most well-known temples in Himachal Pradesh is Baijnath Temple. It is located alongside the Beas River, surrounded by the stunning, snow-capped Dhauladhar Himalayan Range. People in Kangra district do not perform Ravan Dahan. According to mythology, Lord Shiva was happy by Ravana’s devotion and dedication at Baijnath, Kangra. In front of him, Shiva appeared and gave him the book. As a result, people see the Lanka king as a great devotee of Lord Shiva. Additionally, they believe that anyone who burns his effigy will experience Shiva’s anger and suffer an unnatural death.
3. Paraswadi, Gadchiroli, Maharashtra
Gadchiroli in Maharashtra is home to the Gond tribe, who worship Ravana. Furthermore, they see his son Meghanada as God. The tribe believes that Ravana was never a demon in the Valmiki Ramayana. Additionally, it was made quite apparent that he did nothing wrong to Sita. In the Tulsidas Ramayana, Ravana was only portrayed as a cruel and terrible king. During the tribal festival of Falgun, the tribal people pray to Ravana. The Gond people identify as Ravana’s descendants. Additionally, they refuse to identify as Hindus. The residents of this area think that Ravana was the Gond king who was killed by Aryan Invaders.
4. Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh
People also worship Ravana in Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh. It is because of the place’s significance to his wife, Mandodri. The place is the maternal home of Mandodri. As a result, Mandsaur’s son-in-law is Ravana. For this, on Dussehra, people worship Ravana and pray for his soul while also mourning his loss. In addition, the area is home to many Ravana temples. In the Khanpur area of Mandsaur, a 35-foot-tall statue of Ravana is present.
5. Mandore, Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Jodhpur’s Maudgil Brahmans were present during Ravana and Mandodri’s wedding. The wedding took place at an altar in Mandore known as Ravan Kin Chanwari. As a result, nobody celebrates Dussehra in this region by setting Ravana’s effigies on fire. According to Hindu customs, Maudgil Brahmans also perform Shraadh and Pind Daan for the Lanka King.
6. Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh
Lord Shiva is essentially the focus of the Ravana temple in this coastal city. Ravana is a follower of Lord Shiva. A portion of the temple has a massive Shivling mural. The temple is present at a location that Ravana himself chose. Additionally, it is because of this that not everyone in this lovely Andhra town burns the effigy of Ravana. The temple is attractive and is a short distance from the beach. The only location in Andhra where people worship Ravana is Kakinada.
7. Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
In Kanpur’s Shivala, there is a Ravana temple in addition to a Shiva temple. The Dashanan temple gates are open to pilgrims on the occasion of Dussehra. It is for those who worship Ravana to pray for mental and spiritual purity. For his followers, Ravana is not a ruler of the demons but a god whose wisdom, brilliance, intelligence, and goodness are eternal. Shiva is a popular god in the city’s central, centuries-old Kailash temple.
8. Ravangram, Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh
This village, which bears Ravana’s name and is 50 kilometers from Vidisha, has a devoted Ravana worshipper population. On Dussehra, the villagers pray for the peace of Ravana’s soul and refrain from burning his effigy. In a temple, people also worship a 10-foot-long statue of the Lankan king lying down. The temple also has a long history. Locals claim that oiling the idol of Ravana’s navel is lucky and pleases the Lankan king. It’s because he died after an arrow struck in the navel.
On this day, people will worship Lord Rama since he defeated Ravana, a symbol of evil. You’ll be in shock to learn that these locations in India worship Ravana.
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