Lucknow: While the whole of Uttar Pradesh celebrated Dusshera on Friday by setting the effigy of Ravan on fire, one village in Greater Noida did not burn Ravan’s effigy but celebrated his life instead.
Villagers of Bisrakh believe that Ravan was born in their village. While the whole country was busy celebrating the victory of good over evil, Bisrakh quietly mourned the death of their “son”. “No one in this village celebrates Dusshera in the traditional way. There is no puja on the occasion and no Ram Lila. We believe that Ravan was born here and we celebrate him as a King of great intellect and wisdom and mourn his death,” said Raj Kumar Tyagi, a local resident.
The people of the village claim that Rishi Vishrawa, father of Ravan, lived in this village and his sons were born here.
“Ravan is the son of the village and there is even a temple dedicated to him and three temples dedicated to his father Rishi Vishrawa. We never burn his effigy and no one from here goes to see the Ram Lila where Ravan is slain by Ram,” said Mahant Ram Das, chief priest of the temple.
He recalled that there have been isolated incidents where some people have burnt the effigy of Ravan but tragic incidents have taken place immediately after and then people make sure that no one sets the effigy on fire.
