LIVE: Nation celebrates Dussehra, political leaders extend greetings

22:44 October 25

People burn Ravan effigies in Delhi

Effigies of Ravan, Kumbhakarn and Meghnad burnt at CBD Ground in Karkardooma earlier tonight.

22:42 October 25

Ten-day long Dussehra celebrations concluded with boat ride of goddess Kanaka Durga and Lord Malleswara in Vijayawada today. The boat ride has been shortened this year, restricting it only to special puja, in the wake of the rise in water level of river Krishna.

22:40 October 25

Hindu Rao medicos burns 'Vetan Chor Ravan' effigy

Resident doctors of Hindu Rao Hospital burnt a Ravan effigy, as a symbolic protest in continuation of their indefinite hunger strike over non-payment of salaries 

"We did a symbolic protest by burning the effigy of 'vetan chor Ravan, so that govt notices," says a doctor.

21:24 October 25

Ravan effigy burnt at Delhi's Shastri Park on Dussehra today. 

21:17 October 25

BJP leader Jyotiraditya Scindia celebrates Dussehra

BJP leader Jyotiraditya Scindia celebrates Dussehra

BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Jyotiraditya Scindia offered prayers during the traditional Dussehra poojan in Gwalior on Sunday

20:42 October 25

Effigy of Ravan being burnt at Sector 21 in Noida on Dussehra

20:37 October 25

G Kishan Reddy participates in Ravan Dahan

G Kishan Reddy participates in Ravan Dahan

Mos in Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), G Kishan Reddy participated in 'Ravan Dahan' at Amberpet of Hyderabad. 

20:35 October 25

Sandhya Aarti performed at Hazra Park

Sandhya Aarti was performed amid the beating of dhaks at Hazra Park puja pandal in Kolkata.

20:32 October 25

Ayudha Pooja performed at Saint Lourdu matha Church

The Hindu festival of Ayudha Pooja was performed at Saint Lourdu matha Church in Martalli village of Hanuru Taluk. Pastor Christopher Sagayaraj offered a prayer and conveyed the holy water to the vehicles. The owner of the vehicle offered a special prayer to Saint Christopher, also known as the Savior of the Accidents. Some members of the Muslim community were also present on the auspicious occasion. The Christian community of Martalli village is celebrating Hindu rituals such as Ayudhya Puja, Sankranti since ages.

20:26 October 25

Subdued Dussehra celebrations in Punjab, Haryana
 

Dussehra celebrations in Punjab and Haryana were subdued on Sunday with no big functions being held in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. Celebrations at various places in the two states including Mohali, Hoshiarpur, Phagwara, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Ambala, Yamunanagar and Panchkula were low key.
         

Places, where functions were held, witnessed small gatherings. Effigies of Ravana, his son Meghnad and brother Kumbhakaran were set on fire at different places in the two states, marking the triumph of good over evil. Organisers opted for smaller effigies this year.

18:49 October 25

Punjab people burn 30-feet tall Ravan effigy

A 30-feet tall effigy of Ravan was being burnt at Daresi Dussehra Ground in Ludhiana on Dussehra today.

18:35 October 25

Effigies of Ravan, Kumbhakarn and Meghnad erected in Noida's Sector-21

Effigies of Ravan, Kumbhakarn and Meghnad erected in Noida's Sector-21

18:35 October 25

Low-key Dusshera celebrated in Kolkata

Low-key Dusshera celebrated in Kolkata

People were seen outside Kolkata's Chetla Agrani pandal as Calcutta High Court has declared Durga Puja pandals 'no-entry' zones for devotees in view of COVID19. Only organisers are allowed to enter.

17:08 October 25

Telugu states celebrate Dussehra on a subdued note
 

Dussehra was celebrated across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh on Sunday with devotion but on a subdued note due to COVID-19 pandemic. The usual festive buzz was missing in both the Telugu states. Wearing masks and maintaining social distance, people visited temples to offer prayers to Goddess Durga on the occasion of Vijayadashami.

Clad in their festive best, people thronged temples, from the crack of dawn, to worship the Goddess. Temples were decked up with lights and flowers and special pujas conducted as part of celebrations.

A special puja was performed at Kanaka Durga temple in Vijayawada. Devotees queued up at the famous temple at Indira Kiladri for darshan.

Union Minister of State for Home, G. Kishan Reddy worshipped at Kanaka Durga temple. The BJP leader, who was in Vijayawada to inaugurate the state BJP office, said he prayed for people's protection from coronavirus.

17:02 October 25

Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Chief Minister K Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam greet people on occasion of Ayudha Pooja and Vijayadasami

17:02 October 25

Cong president Sonia Gandhi greets people on Dussehra, saying Vijaya Dashami's biggest message is that people are paramount in governance and there is no place for arrogance, falsehood and breaking of promises in a ruler's life.

Attacking the Union government, she said, "VijayaDashami's biggest message is that people are paramount in governance and there is no place for arrogance, falsehood and breaking of promises in a ruler's life."

16:58 October 25

CM Yogi takes out 'Vijay Julus' on Vijayadashami

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took out a 'Vijay Julus' on Vijayadashami, in his capacity as the Mahant of Gorakhnath Math.

16:00 October 25

Coronavirus effigies set up in Aishbagh Leel Ground

Coronavirus effigies set up in Aishbagh Leel Ground

Effigies have been set up Aishbagh Ram Leela Ground for Vijayadashami celebrations, pictorial representation of coronavirus seen on effigies. The Ravana 'dahan' (burning of effigies) will be streamed online to avoid crowding, say organisers.

15:32 October 25

Mathura's Brahmin community worships Lord Ravana

The Saraswat sub-caste, a Brahman community in Mathura, on Dusshera extol the virtues of Ravana and offer prayers to him at the Vrihadeshwar Mahadev Temple near the Yamuna temple. People of Mathura have been following this custom since ages and devotees gather in large numbers to celebrate Dusshera.  

People believe that Ravana was an outstanding politician and a highly learned Brahmin who was a worshipper of Lord Shiva.

Om Vir Saraswat, Chairman of Lakshman Bhakt Mandal, said, "Ravan was a learned man with a vision and the entire world knows about it. Burning of Ravan effigies on Vijayadashmi is wrong. We condemn this.  

15:17 October 25

Maharaja Yadhuveer celebrates Dasara in Mysuru

On the auspicious story of Ayudhapura, Mysuru Maharaja Yadhuveer celebrated Dasara in the temple and worshipped chariots. All the rituals were performed.

Talking to ETV Bharat, Maharaja Yadhuveer, said, "After nine days of Navratri, today we are celebrating Dasara. It starts from ashwayuja masa and ends on Vijayadashami. For nine days, rituals are performed in the temple. 

14:56 October 25

A temple where Ravan is worshipped on Dusshera

A temple where Ravan is worshipped on Dusshera

Even as the rest of India prepares to burn effigies of Ravan as a symbolic victory of good over evil, devotees are quietly lining up outside a nondescript temple in Kanpur.

This temple that opens its door for devotees only for one day in a year -- Dussehra -- is dedicated to the Lankan king Ravan.

Devotees come from far and wide to worship Ravan on the day he was slain by Lord Ram.

This 150-year-old temple is located in Shivala area and devotees light oil lamps as they offer prayers. The deity is decorated and 'aarti' is performed.

"Ravan is worshiped as an embodiment of 'Shakti' (power) and 'gyan' (knowledge). Ravan was a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva and is known for his knowledge and power.

14:48 October 25

Effigies of Ravan set up in Delhi

Effigies of Ravan set up in Delhi

Effigies of Ravan, Kumbhakarn and Meghnad being set up in the national capital's Shastri Park

14:47 October 25

MP CM Shivraj Singh Chauhan offers prayers

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, along with family members, offered prayers and performed 'kanya pujan' at his residence, earlier today. 

10:41 October 25

Truth ultimately triumphs: Rahul greets people on Dussehra

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi greeted people on the occasion of Dussehra on Sunday, saying truth ultimately triumphs.

"Truth ultimately triumphs. Good wishes to all on Vijaya Dashami," he said in a tweet in Hindi with the hashtag "HappyDussehra".

The country is celebrating Dussehra amid restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

10:37 October 25

Vice President Naidu greets people on Dussehra

Vice President Naidu greets people on Dussehra

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu extended his Dussehra greetings to the countrymen on Sunday, hoping that the festival brings peace, harmony, good health and prosperity.

Noting that while Dussehra is an occasion for family and friends to come together and celebrate, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Naidu urged people to celebrate the festival this year in a modest way by strictly adhering to the health protocols.

"I extend my warm greetings and good wishes to the people of our country on the auspicious occasion of Dussehra. Celebrated with great fervour and zeal all over the country, Dussehra symbolises the victory of good over evil," the Vice President Secretariat tweeted, quoting Naidu. 

10:31 October 25

Rajnath Singh extends his wishes on Dussehra

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday extended his wishes on Dussehra (Vijayadashami).

"Best wishes to all the countrymen on the Vijayadashami festival. On this auspicious occasion today, I will visit the Nathula area of Sikkim and meet the soldiers of the Indian Army and will also be present in the Shastra Pujan ceremony," Singh said in a tweet.

08:50 October 25

PM Modi greets countrymen on Mahanavami

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended wishes to countrymen on Mahanavami, the ninth day of Navratri festival on Sunday.

"Heartiest greetings to the countrymen on Mahanavami. On this auspicious day of Navratri, the ninth form of Goddess Durga is worshipped as Goddess Siddhidatri. With the blessings of Maa Siddhidatri, everyone may get success in their works," Prime Minister said in a tweet (roughly translated from Hindi).

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, festivities across the country have been muted.

08:47 October 25

Dussehra LIVE: Prez Kovind and PM Modi wishes countrymen

New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday extended greetings to citizens on the occasion of Dussehra while wishing for prosperity among the people of India.

"Dussehra greetings and best wishes to all countrymen. This festival symbolizes the victory of truth over religion and falsehood over wrongdoing. I wish that this festival of joy, protects everyone from the effects of the epidemic and bring prosperity among the countrymen," the President tweeted.

On Saturday, in a message, the President had said that Dussehra symbolises the triumph of good over evil.

"The festival is celebrated throughout India in different forms. This festival strengthens the cultural unity of India and inspires us to live in harmony, following the path of virtue and shunning evil," he said.

The President said that the festival is also associated with the life and values of Maryada Purushottam Ram.

"His life is a shining example of morality and righteousness. May this festival of joy and happiness protect us from the evil effects of the ongoing pandemic and bring prosperity and affluence to our countrymen," he said.

The 10th day of Sharad Navratri is celebrated as Dussehra or Vijay Dashami. It is celebrated with great joy and fervour across India by burning the effigies of Ravan in open fields to symbolise the victory of 'good' over 'evil'. 

(ANI)