Dussehra being celebratd with traditional grandeur

Patna, Oct 9 (UNI) After nine-day-long ''Navratri'', people in Bihar are celebrating Dussehra with traditional pomp and ceremony today.

The festival, popularly known as ''Vijaya Dasahmi'' marks the victory of divine power over evil.

''Ravanwadh'' would be organised this evening at the historical Gandhi Maidan, where thousands of people have already started assembling to enjoy the glimpses of the event marking the culmination of the nine-day-long festival.

The height of the effigy of Ravana had been increased by ten feet this year to 70 feet from 60 feet last year, the artisans said.

Local artists from Patna made the giant effigy of Ravana to be symbolically burnt by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

On this occasion, Mr Kumar appealed to the people of the state to maintain peace and prayed to the Almighty for their prosperity.

Decorated with colourful lights, the entire town has worn a festive look. Men, women and children clad in their sartorial best enjoyed the ''Navratri'' festival for all the nine days.

With the end of ''Navratri'' and on the occasion of ''Vijaya Dahsmi'', the devotees bade farewell to Goddess Durga during the day.

Since morning women were seen queuing up in front of the idols in puja pandals for the traditional ''Sindoor Khela'' (Smearing the goddess with sindoor).

Meanwhile, sources at the state headquarters said foolproof security had been made for the idol immersion in the Ganges.

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