Dussehra celebrated peacefully in MP, Chhattisgarh

Bhopal, Oct 9 (UNI) Vijayadashami, symbolising the victory of good over evil, was peacefully celebrated with traditional fervour and gaiety across Madhya Pradesh and neighbouring Chhattisgarh today.

Terrorism was burnt in effigy at several places in this state where security was tight.

'Ramlila' was staged at various places and demon king Ravana, his brother Kumbhkarana and son Meghnath were torched this evening in effigies at the local Tatya Tope Nagar's Dussehra Maidan where Lord Rama's devotee Hanuman symbolically burnt Ravana's Lanka. Governor Balram Jakhar was the Chief Guest on the occasion while Commercial Tax Minister and former chief minister Babulal Gaur was also present.

A 105-foot-high Ravan -- symbolising terrorism -- was burnt in an effigy in Kolar area here while a 111-ft-high Ravana was torched at Madhya Pradesh's commercial capital Indore where a Ravana with masks depicting al-Qaeda mastermind Osama bin Laden and Parliament attack convict Mohammad Afzal Guru was burnt in an effigy in Khatiwala Tank area.

Reports of celebrations were received from the cantonment town Jabalpur, citadel town Gwalior, ancient temple town Ujjain and Sagar divisional headquarters.

A UNI report from Raipur said Chhattisgarh Governor E S L Narasimhan, Chief Minister Raman Singh, several of his ministerial colleagues and thousands of people attended a programme at WRS Maidan. Reports of celebrations poured in from Rajnandgaon, Bilaspur, Korba, Surguja and Bastar.

UNI Team GT AS2118