New Delhi, Oct 12 (PTI) Dussehra was celebrated across the country on Saturday with revellers coming out in large numbers to witness the burning of Ravana effigies, marking a spectacular culmination of 10-day of festivities filled with rituals, songs, dance and processions.
Effigies of the demon king, his brother Kumbhakarna and son Meghnad went up in flames at open grounds with the attending crowds erupting as the firecrackers from the burning effigies illuminated the night sky.
Social media platforms were awash with colourful, celebratory posts with people wishing each other health and happiness.
President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the festivities at the Red Fort Parade Ground where they were welcomed by the organisers of Sri Dharmik Leela Committee.
Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal and Delhi Chief Minister Atishi also attended Dussehra festivities amid tight security arrangements.
"Jai Siya Ram! Today I had the good fortune of participating in 'Ravana vadh' during the Dussehra festival at the Ramlila Maidan in Delhi," Rahul Gandhi posted on his WhatsApp channel in Hindi.
"Justice will triumph over injustice and goodness will always triumph over evil --this great festival is the best and most accurate manifestation of this ultimate truth," the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said.
Huge Durga puja pandals were set up across venues showcasing designs based on a variety of innovative themes including on politics, paintings and iconic monuments.
Pandals were decorated abundantly and lit up colourfully as people came in with families and friends to celebrate the festival.
Ramlila was performed in cities, towns and villages, with actors dressing up as characters from the Ramayan and enacting scenes from the Hindu epic.
But two dreaded criminals took advantage of such a performance in the Haridwar district jail and escaped when Ramlila was being staged.
An incident was reported from Odisha also where gold and silver ornaments worth around Rs 10 lakh were stolen from a Durga Puja pandal at Barundei temple in Jajpur district.
On the occasion, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh performed "Shastra Puja" (worship of weapons) at the Sukna military station in West Bengal, and said the ritual is a "clear indication that if need be, weapons and equipment will be used with full force".
"India has never attacked any country out of hatred or contempt. We fight only when someone insults or tries to harm our integrity and sovereignty; when war is waged against religion, truth and human values. This is what we have inherited. We will continue to preserve this heritage," Singh said in a statement issued by the defence ministry.
"However, if our interests are threatened, we will not hesitate to take a big step. 'Shastra Puja' is a clear indication that if need be, the weapons, equipment will be used with full force," he said.
Meanwhile, the External Affairs Ministry expressed "serious concern" over the reported attack on a pandal and theft at a revered Kali temple in Bangladesh, and requested Dhaka to ensure the safety and security of Hindus, all other minorities and their places of worship.
Addressing the annual Vijayadasahmi rally of the RSS in Nagpur, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said India has become stronger and more respected in the world with enhanced credibility in the last few years but sinister conspiracies are testing the country's resolve.
"A country becomes great due to the national character of its people. This year is important as RSS steps into its centenary year," he said.
The RSS chief said a tyrannical fundamentalist nature exists in Bangladesh. A sword of danger hangs over the heads of minorities, including Hindus. Hindus have now come out to defend themselves, he said, adding that they will need the help of all those favouring humanity and harmony, especially the Indian government and fellow Hindus from all over the world.
"That is why infiltration from Bangladesh into Bharat and the population imbalance caused by it has become a matter of serious concern even among the common people," said Bhagwat.
"Being unorganised and weak is like inviting atrocities by the wicked. Hindus need to be united," he stressed.
Bhagwat said 'Deep State', 'wokeism' and 'cultural Marxist' are declared enemies of all cultural traditions.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah greeted members of the RSS on the occasion of its foundation day and said since its inception, the organisation has been doing a remarkable job of protecting Indian culture and inculcating the ideas of patriotism in youth.
The RSS was founded in 1925 in Nagpur on Vijayadashami.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini attended a Dussehra event in Panchkula and extended greetings to the people.
"Everyone should take a pledge today to renounce their inner flaws, so that we contribute to building a civilised and cultured society," he said.
Addressing the Dussehra rally of Shiv Sena at the Azad Maidan ground in south Mumbai, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said the Lok Sabha poll success of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) was like a flash in the pan which won't be replicated in the upcoming assembly polls.
Addressing his party's annual Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park in Mumbai, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said the RSS should think whether today's "hybrid BJP" is acceptable to it.