Jaipur: One of the biggest markets of its kind selling effigies of Ravana came alive in Jaipur ahead of the popular Hindu festival of Dussehra that celebrates the legendary God-king Ram's victory over the demon king. People were thronging the market to select fierce looking effigies of their choice. The customers say that the market offers quality product and that being the reason for its unflinching popularity.

          Dussehra or more specifically 'Vijay Dashmi' will be celebrated tomorrow. On Dussehra day, the effigies of Ravana and his kin would be traditionally set afire, marking the victory of good over evil. People are thronging markets to select the fierce looking effigies of the demon king. Customers say that the market offers quality products and that is the reason for its unflinching popularity. "There are a lot of Ravana makers here who make good quality Ravanas. I come here to buy it every year. They sell a lot of Ravanas every year and people from across the state come here to buy," said Surender Chowdhary, a customer. Over the years, the market has grown to be one of the biggest of its kind, with artisans doing a brisk business during Dussehra. "Initially, we used to make these effigies at home and then come and sell here. But, now we make these effigies here only. Some of us live here during the night also, " said Jagdeesh Maharaj, an artisan.

          Dussehra is also interpreted as "Dasa-Hara", which means the slaying of the ten heads of Ravana, denoting the end of the ten vices - passion, pride, anger, greed, infatuation, lust, hatred, jealousy, selfishness and crookedness. The festivities last ten days, of which the first nine nights are 'Navratri,' dedicated to the worship of the Goddess Durga.
-October 8, 2008