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Allahabad honours strength of demon king Ravana

     Allahabad (UP): Scores of people in Allahabad participated in a procession to honour the evil mythological demon-king Ravana. A number of tableaux depicting Ravana's strength and the grandeur of his court formed a part of the procession. People dressed up as Ravana, Mandodari, his wife, Kumbhakaran, his brother and Meghnath, his son, during the procession. Locals say this procession has been traditionally taken out every year for more than 500 years. Organisers say the event is organised to honour the qualities of Ravana. "Ravana was a very strong, brave and victorious king. He managed to conquer heaven. We take out this procession so that his greatness, his strengths and his qualities are honoured. Along with this it also makes known how inhuman he was. The main aim is to depict his strength," said Hamendra Nath Goswami, an organiser of the procession. Local priests said the city was the location of Sage Bharadwaj's hermitage, and according to his preachings, Ravana, who was also an upper caste Brahmin, was respected persona. "Sage Bharadwaj had his ashram here, and therefore, all Brahmins are respected here. We follow what he preached, that is to respect Brahmans. Ravana himself was a Brahman and a great scholar," said Nanhelal Bhagat Pujari, a local priest. The procession began from the place where the sage Bharadwaj's hermitage is said to have been located and went on till midnight Monday. The event also marks the beginning of "Navratri", which literally means nine nights. The festival culminates with the burning of the effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakaran and Meghnath.
-Sept 19, 2006