Rajasthan : Every year on the day of Dussehra, when the effigy of Ravana is burnt across the country, a unique scene is seen in a small village located in Balod district of Chhattisgarh. While a 20 feet high statue of Ravana has been built on one side of the road, there is also a temple of Lord Ram on the other side. Here people worship Ravana as a highly knowledgeable scholar, while Lord Ram is worshiped as a symbol of the victory of good over evil. This tradition created by the village elders has been going on for years.
The villagers are still following this tradition that has been going on for years. It certainly seems strange to see, but the idol of Ravana has been worshiped in village Tarri of Balod district for the last many years. The villagers here tell that during the time of their ancestors, Ravana was worshiped by making clay Ravana. Later, a permanent statue was slowly made of cement and now the villagers worship Ravana. The villagers believe that Ravana was the most knowledgeable scholar, who was adept in all arts. No one could be as knowledgeable as Ravana. For this reason, Ravana is worshiped from his ancestors till now.
Ramlila is staged and Ravana is burnt.
A temple of Lord Ram has also been built on the other side of the road. People say that Ravana was wise but good also won over evil. Lord Ram is considered an ideal for everyone and hence Ram also had to be worshipped. Because of which the villagers later built the temple of Lord Ram. In this village, people also tell the story of Ravana’s knowledge to children. At the same time, Ravana Dahan is also performed by staging Ramlila.
