The World Burns Ravana, But in This Indian Town, He Is Still Worshipped!
While Dussehra celebrations across India culminate in the burning of effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkaran and Meghnad, the Himachal Pradesh town of Baijnath follows a different tradition. Located in Kangra district, Baijnath remembers Ravana not merely as the antagonist of the Ramayana, but also as an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva.
For generations, the town has refrained from burning Ravana’s effigy during Dussehra, a practice deeply rooted in local faith, folklore and cultural heritage. According to popular belief, past attempts to burn the effigies resulted in casualties and misfortune, strengthening the local conviction that such acts could displease Lord Shiva, whom Ravana worshipped with extraordinary devotion.
At the heart of this distinctive tradition stands the historic Baijnath Temple, renowned for its exquisite stone architecture and religious significance. Dating back to 1204 AD, the temple is one of the prominent religious landmarks of the Kangra Valley.
According to Hindu mythology, Ravana performed severe penance to please Lord Shiva, even offering his ten heads as a symbol of his unwavering devotion. Impressed by his dedication, Shiva granted him a boon. Ravana subsequently sought to carry the sacred Shiva lingam to Lanka, but was instructed never to place it on the ground.
Legend has it that during the journey, Ravana stopped near Baijnath and entrusted the lingam to a local shepherd. Unable to bear its weight, the shepherd placed it on the ground, where it became firmly established. The story is traditionally associated with the divine origins of the shrine.
Baijnath’s distinctive customs extend beyond Dussehra. Local folklore also links the traditional absence of goldsmiths and jewellery shops in the town to Ravana’s golden Lanka and his attempt to take Lord Shiva to his kingdom.
Thus, while much of India marks Dussehra by symbolically celebrating the triumph of good over evil through Ravana’s effigy burning, Baijnath offers a unique perspective. Here, Ravana is remembered through reverence for his devotion to Lord Shiva, making the town’s Dussehra tradition a remarkable expression of local belief and heritage.
