5 Tallest Ravana effigies – Know about Ravana and Dussehra
Dussehra
Vijayadashami also known as Dussehra is a major Hindu festival celebrated at the end of Navaratri every year. It is observed on the tenth day in the Hindu calendar month of Ashvin or Kartik, which typically falls in the months of September and October.
Vijayadashami is observed for different reasons and celebrated differently in various parts of the Indian subcontinent. In the southern, eastern, northeastern, and some northern states of India, Vijayadashami marks the end of Durga Puja, remembering goddess Durga’s victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura to restore and protect dharma. In the northern, central and western states, the festival is synonymously called Dussehra. In these regions, it marks the end of “Ramlila” and remembers God Rama’s victory over the Ravan. On the very same occasion, Arjuna alone decimated more than 1,000,000 soldiers and defeated all Kuru warriors, a significant example of victory of good (Dharma) over evil (Adharma). Alternatively, it marks a reverence for one of the aspects of goddess Devi, such as Durga or Saraswati.
Ravana
Statue of Ravana from the 18th century CE
Ravana is the demon king of Lanka and the chief antagonist in the Hindu epic Ramayana and its adaptations.
Ravana is widely considered to be a symbol of evil. While in Sri Lankan mythology, he is considered as a great ruler. Ravana also had many qualities that made him a learned scholar. He was well-versed in the six shastras and the four Vedas.
In the Ramayana, Ravana abducts Rama’s wife Sita and took her to his kingdom of Lanka, where he held her as a prisoner in Ashok Vatika. Furthermore in Ramayana, it is stated that during this time, he expressed desire to marry her. Later, Rama, with support of vanara King Sugriva and his army of vanars, attacked to Lanka, killed King Ravana, and rescued his beloved wife Sita.
Ravana is considered to be the most revered devotee of Shiva. Images of Ravana are seen associated with Shiva at some places.
Statue of Ravana, Shiva and Parvati at Koneswaram Hindu Temple, Sri Lanka
He also appears in a Buddhist Mahayana text, in Buddhist Ramayanas and Jatakas, as well as in Jain Ramayanas. In some scriptures, he is depicted as one of Vishnu’s cursed doorkeepers.
On the day of dussehra Ravana along with his son Meghnath and brother Kumbhkaran are burnt which marks the victory of good over evil.
Top 5 Ravana effigies ever made and burnt
1. 221 feet, Chandigarh, 2019
At 221 feet, the Ravana effigy burnt in 2019 was the tallest Ravana effigy ever made. Weighing 7,000 kilograms and crafted by a team of 40 workers over a period of 6 months it surely is a masterpiece of an effigy. This effigy was burnt at the Gadda Groud of the EWS Colony in Dhanas, Chandigarh.
Click https://blog.lovetoknowindia.com/religion/221-feet-world-tallest-chandigarh-ravana-photos/985/ to see more photos
Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gp1Hx_5FdRM&sub_confirmation=1 to watch video of 2019
2. 215 feet, Panchkula, 2018
Just short of 6 feet, the Ravana effigy burnt in 2018 in Parade Ground in Panchkula was the second tallest Ravana effigy ever made.
As much as 7,000 kilograms of bamboo, 200 kilograms of gum, 600 kilograms of paper and cloth and 20 quintals of iron frame was used in making it the world’s tallest effigy. At 210 feet height and 6,200 kg weight, a whopping Rs 30 lakhs was spent in designing this giant effigy.
Click https://blog.lovetoknowindia.com/photos/tallest-ravana-of-the-world-photos/603/ to watch more photos
Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lmaas_pauI8&sub_confirmation=1 to watch video of 2018
Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocIK4nJi_eI&sub_confirmation=1 to watch video of 2017
3. 125 feet, Dwarka,2015
Said to be Delhi’s tallest effigy, this effigy was made by a five-year old festival society which also organised the ‘biggest’ Ramleela in the national capital, Delhi with a 200 feet long stage for the ramleela.
4. 111 feet, Lucknow, 2013
This ravana effigy also managed to create history with a height of 11 feet. Instead of standing in a still position, the model of the ravan was in a fighting stance with movable head, legs and hands and was even capable of ‘attacking’ with a sword. The 111 feet effigy symbolised ‘crime against women’, ‘corruption ‘and terrorism, torching the effigy bearing these slogans would indicate an end to all these evils in modern India.
5. 61 feet, Indore, 2012
The 61 feet ravana also managed go in history as one of the tallest ravana’s ever made. At a whopping 61 feet and decorated with garlands made of makeshift gas cylinders, this huge effigy attracted more than 50,000 people eager to see it burn.