People across India celebrated Dusshera and Vijay Dashami festival as it marks the end of the 9-Day Navaratri.

India celebrates the festivities Dussehra & Vijayadashami

While the effigies of Ravan are burnt on the occasion of Dussehra across the country, a small village in Maharashtra's Akola district worships the demon king.

The tradition of worshipping Ravan for his "intelligence and ascetic qualities" has been going on in Sangola village here for the last 200 years, claim locals.

A tall black stone statue of the demon king, with 10 heads and 20 arms, stands at the centre of the village where locals revere him.

Talking to PTI on Sunday, local temple priest Haribhau Lakhade said while the rest of the country burns effigies of Ravana on Dussehra, symbolising the victory of good over evil, residents of Sangola worship the demon king for his "intelligence and ascetic qualities".

Lakhade said his family has since long been worshipping Ravan and claimed the happiness, peace and contentment in the village is because of the Lanka king.

Some elderly residents of the village hail Ravan as a "scholar" and believe he abducted Sita for "political reasons and preserved her sanctity", local resident Mukund Pohre said.

While the villages believe in Lord Ram, they also have faith in Ravan and don't burn his effigies, he said.

Visitors from across the country come to this tiny village on Dussehra every year to catch a glimpse of Ravan's statue and some even offer prayers, he added.

This year, the festivities in the village are low-key in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Lakhade said.

While the effigies of Ravan are burnt on the occasion of Dussehra across the country, a small village in Maharashtra's Akola district worships the demon king. The tradition of worshipping Ravan for his "intelligence and ascetic qualities" has been going on in Sangola village here for the last 200 years, claim locals.

While the effigies of Ravan are burnt on the occasion of Dussehra across the country, a small village in Maharashtra's Akola district worships the demon king. The tradition of worshipping Ravan for his "intelligence and ascetic qualities" has been going on in Sangola village here for the last 200 years, claim locals. A tall black stone statue of the demon king, with 10 heads and 20 arms, stands at the centre of the village where locals revere him. Talking to PTI on Sunday, local temple priest Haribhau Lakhade said while the rest of the country burns effigies of Ravana on Dussehra, symbolising the victory of good over evil, residents of Sangola worship the demon king for his "intelligence and ascetic qualities". Lakhade said his family has since long been worshipping Ravan and claimed the happiness, peace and contentment in the village is because of the Lanka king. Some elderly residents of the village hail Ravan as a "scholar" and believe he abducted Sita for "political reasons and preserved her sanctity", local resident Mukund Pohre said. While the villages believe in Lord Ram, they also have faith in Ravan and don't burn his effigies, he said. Visitors from across the country come to this tiny village on Dussehra every year to catch a glimpse of Ravan's statue and some even offer prayers, he added. This year, the festivities in the village are low-key in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Lakhade said.

Sangola-a Maha village where Ravan is honoured, not condemned

Did you know that Ravana celebrated as a symbol of strength in Sri Lanka? The demon king is the antagonist in the Hindu epic Ramayana. But, he is playing a major role in the upcoming Lankan polls. WION's Palki Sharma has the details.

Gravitas: Ravana gets a role in the upcoming Sri Lankan election

Among other factors, India and Sri Lanka's history is also knit by a Hindu epic, the Ramayana.

Its protagonist is Lord Ram and antagonist, the demon-king of Lanka, Ravana.

In Ramayana, Ravana abducts Lord Rama's wife Sita, takes her to Lanka, where she was kept as a prisoner.&nbsp;

In India, by and large, Ravana is considered as a symbol of evil and Lord Rama is celebrated.

The Hindu deity is often mentioned in Indian election rallies too, where voters are promised of building a Ram temple.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

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On August 5, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in the temple town of Ayodhya to lay the foundation for the Lord Rama temple.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-drops-plan-to-conduct-advance-polling-for-people-under-quarantine-316452">Sri Lanka drops plan to conduct advance polling for people under quarantine</a>

On the same day, Sri Lanka will vote, but unlike India, it is heading to elections by celebrating Ravana.

Sri Lanka considers him a great ruler and a learned scholar.

Interestingly, the name of Sri Lanka's first indigenous satellite is Ravana-1.

In this island nation, a Buddhist monk-led political organisation is called Ravana Balaya.

And now, the Sinhalese Buddhists are trying to build a cult around Ravana.&nbsp;

They are projecting him as an embodiment of Sri Lanka's fight against India and the West.&nbsp;

Sri Lankan President Gotabay Rajapaksa's nationalist government is trying to cash on this narrative.

Recently, the Lankan Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation issued a newspaper advertisement, which urged people to share research and documents on Ravana.&nbsp;

The government said it is conducting research on the lost aerial routes.

In mythology, Ravana is said to have built an aircraft, which he used to fly to India and other overseas lands.

So, what is being presented as scientific research is nothing but an attempt to stir-up nationalistic sentiments.&nbsp;

It is also being used to unite the Sinhalese Buddhist, who Rajapaksas see as their vote bank.

As they seek votes with the promise of unity, it is Ravana, who is once again emerging as a charismatic leader, and a symbol of Lankan power.&nbsp;

Among other factors, India and Sri Lanka's history is also knit by a Hindu epic, the Ramayana. Its protagonist is Lord Ram and antagonist, the demon-king of Lanka, Ravana.

Among other factors, India and Sri Lanka's history is also knit by a Hindu epic, the Ramayana. Its protagonist is Lord Ram and antagonist, the demon-king of Lanka, Ravana. In Ramayana, Ravana abducts Lord Rama's wife Sita, takes her to Lanka, where she was kept as a prisoner. In India, by and large, Ravana is considered as a symbol of evil and Lord Rama is celebrated. The Hindu deity is often mentioned in Indian election rallies too, where voters are promised of building a Ram temple. Watch | On August 5, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in the temple town of Ayodhya to lay the foundation for the Lord Rama temple. Also read | Sri Lanka drops plan to conduct advance polling for people under quarantine On the same day, Sri Lanka will vote, but unlike India, it is heading to elections by celebrating Ravana. Sri Lanka considers him a great ruler and a learned scholar. Interestingly, the name of Sri Lanka's first indigenous satellite is Ravana-1. In this island nation, a Buddhist monk-led political organisation is called Ravana Balaya. And now, the Sinhalese Buddhists are trying to build a cult around Ravana. They are projecting him as an embodiment of Sri Lanka's fight against India and the West. Sri Lankan President Gotabay Rajapaksa's nationalist government is trying to cash on this narrative. Recently, the Lankan Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation issued a newspaper advertisement, which urged people to share research and documents on Ravana. The government said it is conducting research on the lost aerial routes. In mythology, Ravana is said to have built an aircraft, which he used to fly to India and other overseas lands. So, what is being presented as scientific research is nothing but an attempt to stir-up nationalistic sentiments. It is also being used to unite the Sinhalese Buddhist, who Rajapaksas see as their vote bank. As they seek votes with the promise of unity, it is Ravana, who is once again emerging as a charismatic leader, and a symbol of Lankan power.

Sri Lanka: Can Ravana ensure a victory for Rajapaksas?

Who is to blame for Dussehra Tragedy in Amritsar ?

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