Dussehra
An effigy of 10-headed demon king Ravana burns during the Dussehra festival celebrations in Ahmedabad [Reuters]

Effigies of evil king Ravan, his son Meghnad and brother Kumbhakaran were burned to ashes as part of the Dussehra celebrations on Sunday, marking the victory of good over bad.

People, dressed in their best, attended the Ramlilas at various open grounds in India on Sunday where artistes performed the final war between lord Ram and the ten-headed Ravan. As the fire crackers-stuffed effigies were burnt, crowds burst into cheers.

With police security arrangements, the Dussehra festivities were celebrated peacefully across the country. However, due to the cyclone Phailin, the celebrations were low-key affair in the country's east coast region.

President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice-President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi visited the Subhash Park in New Delhi to attend the Dussehra celebrations.

Later, Prime Minister, Sonia, her daughter Priyanka Gandhi and son-in-law Robert Vadra visited Ramlila Maidan to celebrate the festival with Delhiites. Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dekshit, Law Minister Kapil Sibal and other VIPs also visited Ramlila Maidan.

Dussehra, also called as Vijayadashami, marks the end of nine-day long festival navaratri and beginning of winter.

Dussehra is derived from Sanskrit word "Dasha-hara" which means the removal of ten bad qualities. Though the festival is observed to mainly to celebrate Lord Ram's victory over Ravana, it also marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasur.

In some parts of the country the festival was celebrated on Sunday, while in other parts on Monday. However, the holiday has been declared on Monday.

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Dussehra
A Hindu man lights firecrackers before an effigy of 10-headed demon king Ravana is burnt during Dussehra festival celebrations in Ahmedabad [Reuters]
Dussehra
Hindu men prepare to burn an effigy of 10-headed demon king Ravana during Dussehra festival celebrations in Ahmedabad [Reuters]
Dussehra
People watch a burning effigy during Dussehra festival celebrations in New Delhi [Reuters]
Dussehra
A boy takes photos of burning effigy during Dussehra festival celebrations in New Delhi [Reuters]
Dussehra
A boy chants religious slogans during Dussehra festival celebrations in Chandigarh [Reuters]
Dussehra
A man takes photos during Dussehra festival celebrations in New Delhi [Reuters]
Dussehra
Artists dressed as Hindu god Rama, his wife Sita and his brother Laxman sit in a chariot during a religious procession ahead of cin Allahabad [Reuters]
Dussehra
An artisan gives finishing touches to an effigy of demon king Ravana in preparation for the upcoming Hindu festival of Dussehra in Chandigarh [Reuters]
Dussehra
A tightrope walker performs on a rope during Dussehra festival celebrations in Amritsar [Reuters]