Dussehra: Did Ravana actually die?

Dussehra as the another name toVijayadashami is one of the most important Hindu festival celebrated in various parts of world, like Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and undoubtedly, India in respect to the victory of Lord Rama over Lankeshwar Ravana. The festival has always been amongst one of my top three festivals, I have always waited for Dussehra to come and see the Ravana burning.  Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan is symbol of its Architectural work and history of great Royalty. So distant from these two factors comes the festive season Dussehra, celebrated at great heights in Jaipur. Therefore, I would always come up with something special on occasion of Dussehra. Sometimes it would be gathering friends and start working on how to go about making a Ravana or how to make the day more special.

Therefore, there is a beautiful memory of my school days, when I use to be so mesmerized to see Dussehra, I would spend hours and days to make the occasion more meaningful. Hence, it takes me back to the roots of 2008, when I was 15. I came up with an idea of creating an event next to my house, were I gathered 5 people and we divided work to make the event at its best. Therefore, the event was full of food stalls, games, and yes at the end, as we waited for the Ravana to burn.  Moreover, that period was more of enjoying the occasion without knowing its true essence. However, as you grow, a different meaning develops in your mind as the time goes.

So this time I thought of experiencing it alone with “My Camera” and exploring the best of the occasion. I had a different thought altogether when I visited the place, I could see the same 15 years old boy living the same life again as he experienced it in 2008. The only thing that set me apart was the change of thoughts on what it was to me and what meaning has emerged into my mind. So the place was filled with food stalls (Pani Puri, Pav bhaji, Gane Ka Ras everything was there what we have craved for when we were in that era) and of course the people waiting for Ravana to burn. I could see there was curiosity on everyone’s face out there waiting for Lord Rama to come and defeat the Ravana. As the wait was over and finally someone dressed up as Lord Rama came to burn the Lankeshwar Ravana. The moment Ravana was burnt, people started chanting (Bhagwan Rama ki Jai) meaning praise the Lord Rama. The sky was glowing, as crackers were being burnt everywhere on the auspicious eve. However, the eve was about to get over, but no one thought of it that time did Ravana ever die?

I had always thought that Lord Rama’s Victory over Ravana must have resulted into the death of the Ravana. However, when we ask this question to our own selves, do we really think that the Ravana died?  He may have died in the war, but his thoughts are still in prevailing in our minds. Yes, I am talking about the evil thoughts that sometime occur in our minds and results into something evil. The day we come over these thoughts or evilness in ourselves that would be the occasion; I would call where the Ravana actually has died.