Effigies of Ravana were sold in bustling markets across India on the eve of Dussehra, forming the symbolic centerpiece of celebrations that mark the eternal triumph of good over evil.
The towering structures often stretching several storeys high are destined for a fiery end as they are set ablaze during grand community gatherings, while smaller effigies find their way into homes and neighbourhoods for more intimate festivities.
Delhi known for its century-old tradition of effigy-making, artisans transform narrow lanes into temporary workshops.
Families of craftsmen work tirelessly for weeks, bending bamboo, layering papier-mache, and painting vivid expressions onto the ten heads of Ravana.
Alongside him, effigies of his brothers Kumbhkaran and Meghnad are also crafted, echoing the epic tale of the Ramayana.
When the effigies finally go up in flames, the spectacle is more than just entertainment, it is a collective reaffirmation of faith, morality, and the age-old belief that righteousness will always prevail.
Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff
Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff
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