PM, Sonia join in Dussehra celebrations

Giant effigies of demon king Ravana, son Meghnad and brother Kumbhkaran were consigned to flames amid splendid fireworks in the capital today as people celebrated Dussehra symbolising the triumph of good over evil.

Giant effigies of demon king Ravana, son Meghnad and brother Kumbhkaran were consigned to flames amid splendid fireworks in the capital on Monday as people celebrated Dussehra symbolising the triumph of good over evil.

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And now begins the 20-day-long wait for the festival of lights, Diwali, celebrating the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya after killing the demon king.

Dressed in dazzling attire, people attended Ramlilas across city where artistes enacted the final battle of the Ramayana in which Lord Ram's arrows killed the demon king.

Vice-President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi joined thousands of Delhiites to celebrate the festival and attended Ramlila at the Parade Ground in New Delhi which witnessed a massive turnout of people.

As the effigies were set ablaze amid chants praising Lord Ram, people witnessed spectacular fireworks which illuminated the sky leaving many in awe.

Later, Singh applied tilak on the forehead of the artistes who played the role of Lord Ram and Lakshman.

Singh and Gandhi also attended Dussehra celebrations at the Ram Lila Ground in New Delhi.