Beyond the effigy: Indian villages where Ravana is treated as the son-in-law

Bhopal (The Uttam Hindu): While the entire country celebrates the victory of truth over falsehood on Vijayadashami by burning effigies of Ravana, there are many places in Madhya Pradesh where Ravana is not burned, but worshipped. This may be surprising, but these traditions have been going on for centuries. In some places, Ravana is honored as a son-in-law, while in others, he is worshipped as an ancestor.

Mandsaur is considered the maternal home of Ravana's wife Mandodari, which is why Ravana is worshipped as his "son-in-law" in Dashpur village. Members of the Namdev community regularly worship a 41-foot-tall statue of Ravana. Special rituals are held on Dussehra. Before burning the effigy, locals also pray to the statue for forgiveness.

Similarly, in Vidisha district, there's an entire village named "Ravan," where there's a temple dedicated to Ravana Baba and his reclining statue. The majority of the Brahmin community here considers Ravana their ancestor and offers special prayers to him on the second day of Dussehra. The villagers respectfully call him "Ravan Baba."

As preparations are underway across the country on Thursday to burn effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghnath on Vijayadashami, these areas of Madhya Pradesh are presenting a different picture with their unique traditions. In these places, Ravana is seen as a learned scholar and a revered figure, reflecting the diverse beliefs associated with the festival.