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A unique tradition in Sahpau town of Uttar Pradesh`s Hathras district sees the effigy of demon king Ravan burnt on the Dashami of Chaitra Navratri, unlike most places where it is set ablaze on Dussehra during Sharadiya Navratri.
According to Devendra Kumar Varshney, president of the Ramlila Festival Committee, only Ravan`s effigy was burnt on Saturday. “The actor portraying Lord Ram released an `agnibaan` (arrow of fire), setting the effigy ablaze,” he said.
He added that on Dussehra, neither Ramlila is staged nor is Ravan`s effigy burnt in Sahpau.
Explaining the origins of the nearly 180-year-old practice, Varshney said local lore attributes it to an epidemic that struck the region around two centuries ago.
“Residents performed a havan and later organised a Ramlila. The burning of Ravan`s effigy was believed to have helped end the epidemic. Since then, no such outbreak has occurred,” he said.
The effigy was burnt at Hanuman Teela, with large participation from nearby rural areas.
The town wore a festive look on the occasion, with fairgrounds hosting stalls selling daily goods, toys, food items and offering various entertainment options and swings.
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