Dussehra Celebrated Across India

The auspicious Hindu festival of Dussehra was celebrated across India on Oct. 24, 2012. Effigies of Ravana, Meghnada and Kumbhakarana were burnt during Dussehra that symbolizes the victory of good over evil.

Crowds thronged popular 'Ramlila' venues like the Lav-Kush and Shri Nav Dharmik Lila Committees in old Delhi and the Shri Ramlila Committee in Punjabi Bagh area of the city to catch the final episode of the dramatic re-enactment of the life of Lord Rama.

President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi were among the leaders who witnessed the burning of the effigy of Ravana, a symbol of evil, to mark the celebrations at Subhash Maidan near the historic Red Fort.

Vice-President Hamid Ansari, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, Lt Governor Tejendra Khanna and Communications Minister Kapil Sibal were also present at the function.

The festivities culminated after nine auspicious days of navratri, during which Ramlila is enacted to depict the life of Lord Ram.