Dikhyaa Mohanty 
Durga Puja came to an end with people burning the effigy of demon king Raavan on the occasion of Vijay Dashami. Dusherra is celebrated in several ways across the country as the festival denotes the celebration of light over darkness.
As per the mythology, ‘Ravan Dahan’ celebrated as Lord Ram killed the ten-headed Ravan after a battle, which lasted ten days. Dusshera celebrated with the traditional zeal, devotion, and enthusiasm by the people in Odisha. Villages and cities are lit up with bright lights, signifying light’s value in people’s lives. Ravan Dahan is an essential part of the festival as it portrays metaphorical symbolism of darkness succumbing to light. After devoting nine days of Navratri for granting prayers to Maa Durga, on the day of Dusshera or Vijayadashmi, Ravana’s effigy is burned. Various parts of the country celebrate this day with various cultural programs and rituals. Some places also conduct drama enacting the story of Ramayana before burring Ravana’s effigy.
Every year Ravana Podi celebration is conducted in Bali Yatra ground in Cuttack. With a vast number of crowds witnessing the brilliant fireworks and the cultural programs, Ravana’s gigantic effigy sets afire on the banks of Mahanadi.
But this year, due to COVID-19, there will be no such celebrations to avoid public gathering and maintain social distancing. So this year, the Barabati Sarbadharma Sanskrutika Parishada will broadcast the Ravana Podi event. The entire event to be streamed on the official Facebook Page- Barabati Sarbadharma Sanskrutika Parishada and the same as the Youtube channel from 8 pm to 9 pm.
Article Written by Dikhya Mohanty
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