Ravana still Worshipped
You read this right! There are places in India where Ravana is still Worshipped. Usual question comes in mind why is Ravana worshipped and what are those places. In this blog we are going to discuss in detail.
As we all know, Dussehra marks the celebration of the triumph of good over evil. It commemorates the day when Lord Rama vanquished and defeated the wicked king Ravana of Lanka. Elaborate effigies of Ravana, along with his brother Kumbhkaran and son Meghanada, are erected and set ablaze on the evening of Dussehra or Vijayadashami. Dussehra is observed with great fervor throughout India, as people offer prayers in honor of Lord Rama.
Nevertheless, there are regions in India where Ravana is still worshipped, and prayers are offered for the peace of his departed soul. This reverence for Ravana is often rooted in the historical or religious significance he holds in those specific places. Some communities hold him in high regard due to his devotion to Lord Shiva. Here is a compilation of locations in India where Ravana is worshipped.
1 - Bisrakh, Uttar Pradesh
Approx. 50 kilometers away from Delhi lies the village of Bisrakh (in the Gautam Buddh Nagar District of Noida) where Ravana is still worshipped.
At first glance, Bisrakh appears like any other village in the country. Yet, there's an intriguing aspect to Bisrakh that sets it apart – the unique legends interwoven with its history. In this village, Dussehra is not celebrated; instead, Navratri rituals and yajnas are organized to pay homage to Ravana. It's indeed a distinctive tradition, isn't it?
Local folklore tells the tale of Bisrakh being named after Vishrava, the son of Pulastya, the grandson of Brahma, and the father of Ravana. According to mythological texts, Vishrava was a renowned sage and an exceptional scholar.
His fame was such that the revered sage Bharadwaj bestowed his daughter Ilavida's hand in marriage to Vishrava, leading to the birth of Kuber, the Lord of Wealth.
However, Vishrava's reputation extended beyond the realm of saints and rishis; even rakshasas sought to form alliances with him. Upon learning of Vishrava's extraordinary abilities and powers, the demon king Sumali devised a plan to marry his daughter, Kaikashi, to Vishrava. Kaikashi appeared before Vishrava in an enchanting form, and Vishrava fell in love. Their union resulted in the birth of Ravana, Vibhishan, Khumbkaran, and Surphnakha, offspring who were of both Brahmin and rakshasa lineage.
Local residents of Bisrakh village hold the belief that Ravana was born there, while some accounts suggest that he spent his early childhood in Bisrakh. It is said that Vishrava stumbled upon a Shiva Linga in the nearby forest and, being a devout follower of Lord Shiva, established the Bisrakh Dham.
Ravana's devotion to Lord Shiva is well-documented, and he is even credited with composing the Shiv Tandav Stotram. Similarly, Vishrava was a dedicated Shiva devotee, and it's believed that both father and son frequented the Shiva temple in Bisrakh village, a temple that still stands today.
The Archaeological Survey of India discovered the temple's cellar with the Linga during an archaeological survey aimed at finding Painted Gray Ware in Bisrakh. This suggests that the temple and the Linga date back to a period between 600-300 BCE, when the Painted Gray Ware culture was flourishing in the eastern parts of the Upper Ganga Valley.
2 - Ravangram, Vidisha – Madhya Pradesh
In the state of Madhya Pradesh, two temples are dedicated to the worship of Ravana, attracting his devout followers: the Ravangram Ravana Temple in Vidisha and another in Mandsaur.
Situated at a distance of 50 kilometers from Vidisha, Ravangram derives its name from Ravana and is home to a dedicated community of Ravana worshippers.
During the Dussehra festivities, the villagers in Ravangram opt to offer prayers for the peace of Ravana's soul instead of partaking in the traditional effigy burning. The focal point of their devotion is a centuries-old temple housing a remarkable 10-foot-long reclining statue of the Lankan king. This temple is believed to have been constructed by the Kanyakubja Brahmins, the same Brahmin sect to which Ravana belonged.
According to local customs, the application of oil on the navel of the Ravana idol is considered an auspicious act that pleases the Lankan king, who met his end when an arrow struck him in the navel.
3 - Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh
As mentioned above another place in Madhya Pradesh is Mandsaur where Ravana is still Worshipped.
In Mandsaur, Ravana is also held in high regard due to the place's connection with his wife, Mandodri.
Local belief holds that Mandsaur is the maternal home of Mandodri, making Ravana the son-in-law of this region. Consequently, the people of Mandsaur worship Ravana and, during Dussehra, observe rituals to mourn his death while offering prayers for his departed soul.
The region boasts numerous Ravana temples, reflecting the enduring reverence for this enigmatic figure.
4 - Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Legend has it that the Maudgil Brahmans of Jodhpur trace their origins back to Ravana's wedding with Mandodri, which took place at the sacred site known as Ravan Kin Chanwari in Mandore. In a departure from the customary Dussehra celebrations that involve burning effigies of Ravana, the Maudgil Brahmans of Jodhpur observe Shraadh and Pind Daan rituals for the Lanka King, in accordance with Hindu traditions.
5 - Gadchiroli, Maharashtra
Within Maharashtra's Gadchiroli region, the Gond tribe holds Ravana and his son Meghanada in divine reverence. According to the tribe's beliefs, Ravana was not vilified in the Valmiki Ramayana, which explicitly states that he committed no wrong against Sita. It was only in the Tulsidas Ramayana that Ravana was cast as a cruel and demonic king. The tribal community offers prayers to Ravana during the Falgun tribal festival.
6 - Kangra, Himachal Pradesh
In the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, the tradition of Ravan Dahan is notably absent. This is rooted in the belief that Ravana's devoutness and penance deeply impressed Lord Shiva at Baijnath, Kangra. Shiva, moved by Ravana's devotion, appeared before him and granted his blessing. Consequently, the King of Lanka is celebrated as a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva in the region.
7 - Kolar, Karnataka
Kolar, situated in Karnataka's Kolar district, pays homage to Ravana owing to his unwavering devotion to Lord Shiva. During a procession held as part of the harvest festival, the locals worship an idol featuring Ravana's ten heads and twenty arms alongside an idol of Lord Shiva. This gesture is a tribute to Ravana's reverence for Lord Shiva in the region.
