news.scotsman.com

EDINBURGH, Scotland, UK, October 15, 2007: A spectacular display of fireworks and giant flaming effigies brought thousands of people as more than 2500 revellers attended the a show held to mark the Hindu festival of Dusshera in Edinburgh.
Three giant effigies – representing the evil king Ravana and his two henchmen – were set ablaze, sparking calls to the fire brigade from worried residents. The models, which were up to 40 ft high, were built by inmates at Saughton Prison for the second year running. The size of the effigies had organizers at one point considering calling the Territorial Army for help. In the end that did not prove necessary, although it took more than four hours to transport the gigantic figures up the hill.
The festival began with the Ramlila Parade and young Scottish music bands, joined by Hindu icons, horse-drawn carriages and youngsters dressed as the Monkey-God Hanuman or Asuras, demons, for the march along Princes Street.
With Lord Provost George Grubb in Kyoto on official business, Alastair Paisley attended in his place and set the effigies alight by launching a flaming rocket. He said: “I had never been before but is wonderful to join in a multi-cultural event like this, which promotes good relations between all communities. Mohindra Dhall, president of the Scottish Indian Arts Forum, which organizes the event, said he was delighted it had gone well. “I am really pleased, because it was a real struggle getting the effigies up here, and I was bit worried at one point when we had to start taking them apart and putting them back together. I was delighted so many people came along and I was particularly happy that the Sunshine on Leith Pipes and Samba Band agreed to take part, as every year we try to get as many youngsters as possible involved.”
“This has been a very traditional spiritual celebration which has been well organized,” the police said.

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