Dussehra celebrated across country with fervour, gaiety

New Delhi, Oct 2 (UNI) The Hindu festival of Dussehra, symbolising triumph of good over evil, was today celebrated with fervour and gaiety across the country.

In the national capital, the main celebration was held at the Ramleela Grounds. Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who was here with her daughter Priyanka Vadra, wielded the bow to set Ravana's effigy on fire. Burning of the effigies was preceded by release of colourful balloons.

Delhi Lt Governor B L Joshi and Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit were also present on the occasion.

Mammoth effigies of demon king Ravan, his brother Kumbhkaran and son Meghnad were put up at several places in Uttar Pradesh.

Uttar Pradesh Governor T V Rajeswar and Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav greeted the people on the occasion of Dussehra.

In his message, the Governor said the festival is symbolic of victory of truth and justice, while the Chief Minister said the festival underlined that truth always prevails over evil and injustice.

Mysore Dasara, known for its grandeur and pomp the world over, culminated with the impressive 'Jamboo Savari' procession.

The two-km long procession began with Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy performing pooja to the 'Nandi Dhwaja' and offering jasmine flowers to Goddess Chamundeshwari, the presiding deity of this heritage city.

The goddess was placed on tusker Balarama, carrying the 750-kg golden howdah in front of the imposing Mysore Palace, starting point of the procession.

The tradition of the grand finale to Dasara festivities dates back to the Vijayanagaram Empire and later it was later passed on to Wadiyars of the erstwhile Mysore Kingdom.

In Mumbai, devotees performed special ''poojas'' in temples.

Maharashtra Governor S M Krishna conveyed his greetings on the occasion and said,'' Let us all join hands on this auspicious occasion to build a strong nation.'' Since Dussehra coincides with Bijoya Dasami, people of Kolkata bid a tearful adieu to Goddess Durga as the nine-day propitiation of the Goddess concluded this evening with immersion of the idols.

As per custom, the idols of the Goddess along with those of Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesha and Kartikeya is immersed with much fanfare.

UNI TEAM AK HS1917