This Article is From Oct 11, 2016

15,000 Expected At 'Dashanan' Temple For Ravana On Dussehra

15,000 Expected At 'Dashanan' Temple For Ravana On Dussehra

The rest of country celebrates Dussehra by burning effigies of Ravana.

Kanpur: In a departure from convention, devotees are making a beeline for the 125-year-old 'Dashanan' temple in Shivala area in Kanpur to worship Ravana on Dussehra.

"A day when most of the people burn effigies of Ravana, we worship the demon king. Dashanan temple was constructed in around 1890 by Maharaj Guru Prasad Shukl. It opens its doors for devotees once in a year on Dussehra," organiser of the temple functions, K K Tiwari said.

Mr Tiwari said the motive behind the construction of the temple was that Ravan was a learned scholar and the biggest devotee of Lord Shiva.

On the occasion of Dussehra, he said the idol of 'Dashanan' (Ravana - or the one with ten heads) is decorated following 'aarti' by devotees.

He said people light earthen lamps and perform religious rituals to celebrate the festival at the temple.

Around 15,000 devotees are expected to throng the temple today, Mr Tiwari said.

"After Ravana goes up in flames at Ramlila ground here, the doors of the temple are closed for a year," he added.
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