Ludhiana: While Hindus across the country celebrate Dussehra to mark Lord Ram's victory over Ravana, in Payal area of Ludhiana district of Punjab, Ravana is worshiped and even adoured with a blood vermilion. During the country's national festival of Dussehra, the effigy of Lankapati Ravana is burnt and celebrated as a symbol of the victory of good over evil and and love over hatred, Ravana is worshiped on the occasion of Dussehra in Payal area of Ludhiana district of Punjab.
The Dubey family in Payal area of Ludhiana has been performing this tradition for the past seven generations by worshiping Ravana ironically in the Ram temple. In the evening, the goat's ear is cut and blood is offered as a vermilion for Ravana. Besides, the Dubey family also serves liquor for the visitors on the occasion.
Why Ravana is being worshipped: Vinod Dubey and Akhil Prakash Dubey, members of the Dubey family, said that their ancestors were not descendants of Birbal Das, who left the city of Payal and migrated to Haridwar. “On the way, a sadhu explained the solution to achieve the wish to have a child and asked them go to Ramlila and celebrate Dussehra.
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They came to Payal and performed Ramlila and got their first child before Dussehra next year,” a Dubey family member said. He said that the Dubey couple had four sons, whose names were Hakeem Achharudas Dubey, Tulsidas Dubey, Prabhudayal Dubey and Naraindas Dubey. “We consider them as Ram, Lashman, Shatrughan and Bharata,” the Dubey family member said.
“Secondly, the birth of a child in the ancestral home became a means for our Dubey family to worship on the occasion of Dussehra, which is being done uninterruptedly till today,” he said. Vinod Dubey and Akhil Prakash Dubey said that Ramlila is also performed every year and the Ramlila show by children during the day is also staged.
The festival is believed to be a symbol of brotherhood in the entire area on the occasion of Dussehra. The Dubey family believes that their next generation is also committed to worshiping Ravana with great fervor in the temple.
