The Legend of Ram

Published: Oct 11, 2016, 19:55 IST | Updated: Oct 11, 2016, 19:55 IST

Nine days of living the story of Ram and Ravan, the story of Good vanquishing Evil, is at the heart of Dussehra festival in India. Ramlila performances at New Delhi's Red Fort attract thousands including the President and political leaders of India

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Bird's eye view: Ramlila Maidan in front of Red Fort in New Delhi.

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Ramlila enacts the story of the prince of Ayodhya, Lord Ram, his wife Sita and younger brother Lakshman and traces their journey.

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Although Lord Ram and Sita are venerated as divine figures in India today, scripturally Lord Ram is known as 'Maryada Purushottam'.

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Shri Dharmic Leela Committee's Ramlila pulls hundreds of people each year during the festival of Navratri (nine days).

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'Gods' in the green room: An ardent devotee of Ram, vanar (monkey) Hanuman participated in the war against Ravan.

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Elaborate security arrangements in place in front of the Red Fort ahead of 'Ravan Dahan'.

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Effigies of Ravan, Kumbhakarn and Meghnad to be burnt later in the evening at the Shri Dharmik Leela Committee event.

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Ram and Lakshman flanked by placards with congratulatory messages to the Indian armed forces.

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Tricolour balloons released in the air ahead of burning of Ravan's effigy.

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Meghnad, King of Lanka Ravan's son, is the first one to be set to fire. The prince of Lanka was said to have conquered Indra Lok (heaven).

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Ravan, the ten-headed warrior, awaiting his fate.

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How the mighty fall: Ravan's arrogance is said to be behind his moral degradation

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The effigies at one of the three Ramlila events are seen. Three committees organise three different Ramlila events in front of the iconic Red Fort .

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Cops on duty: Security was boosted for the three Ramlilas held in front of Red Fort, which sees the footfall of about hundred thousand people.

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Delhi Police personnel looking up at the illuminated sky. Police officers were stationed on the rooftops of high buildings in Lala Lajpat Rai Market.

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