Effigies of Ravana, Meghanada, and Kumbhakarna in New Delhi, India
Effigies of Ravana, Meghanada, and Kumbhakarna in New Delhi, India (© Prakash Singh/Staff/AFP/Getty Images)
The victory of good over evil
Dussehra, also called Vijayadashami, celebrates the victory of Lord Rama – the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu – over Ravana, a multi-headed demon king who kidnapped Rama’s wife Sita. His triumph over Ravana marked the end of an evil rule, signifying the victory of good over evil. The festival also marks the end of Navratri, which is one of the most important and widely celebrated festivals in India, with devotees to the Goddess Durga honouring her nine forms over the nine days.
© Prakash Singh/Staff/AFP/Getty Images