There is one village in India that doesn’t burn the effigy of Ravana, the demon king of Lanka. They stand in mourning, even as the whole country celebrates Dussera, the festival that marks Lord Ram’s victory over Ravana. Barely an hour’s drive from New Delhi, this is where Ravana is believed to have been born. It even has a temple dedicated to him. This is the biggest temple in India dedicated to Ravan, the king of Lanka! Stories of those who dared to burn Ravana’s effigy meeting an untimely death only add to the mystery. Ravana was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva, and devotees here get a chance to seek blessings of both. Ironically the temple priest’s name is Ramdas…meaning servant of Lord Ram. He performs daily prayers and has a unique Ravana idol. The state of Uttar Pradesh can indeed boast of giving birth to two legendary figures in the Indian epic Ramayana…Ram and Ravan!