Ramayan characters parade marks beginning of "Navratri"

New Delhi, Sept 20 (ANI): Characters of Ramayan were paraded here on the streets, heralding the beginning of the nine-day "Navratri" festival.

The procession of "Ramlila", a drama based on the life of Lord Ram, passed through the lanes and by-lanes of the city.

The Ramlila continues for all the nine nights of the festival, which culminates with the burning of effigies of demon king Ravan, who was slayed by Lord Ram.

Though the story of the victory of good over evil remains the same, Ramlilas have witnessed a tremendous change of image over the years.

The small morality-play like enactments now include elaborate sets, technical wizardry and professional actors.

The annual enactments of the Ramayan are the result of much planning. In villages, the local village councils collect money from each household for staging plays or ballets.n cities and towns, every large suburb now has its own local committees.

In New Delhi, local citizens' committees organise Ramlilas with traditional fervour and devotion.

Legend has it that Lord Ram's consort Sita was abducted by demon king Ravan. Lord Ram went in war with Ravan to release his wife from captivity. Lord Ram's victory over Ravan is described as the triumph of good over evil. (ANI)