EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND, October 6, 2008: Three giant effigies were visible across central Edinburgh as they burned in the night sky atop Calton Hill, celebrating the triumph of good over evil in the Hindu festival of Dussehra.
Festivities commenced with a Ramlila parade featuring performances by local pipe bands as well as images of Hindu Deities, horse-drawn carriages and youngsters dressed as monkeys and demons. The main festivities began atop Carlton Hill with a display of traditional dancing. The effigies, representing the evil king Ravana and his two henchmen, were set alight to loud applause, and a massive fireworks display continued to delight the crowd as the effigies burned to the ground.
For the third year running, the impressively detailed 25-feet-tall effigies were created by inmates at Saughton Prison. Madhur Chandra, a shop worker from Leith, said, “It’s great that people in prison are allowed to make them because the festival is all about how good wins over evil. That’s a good message for prisoners to take and think about while they’re making them.”
Caitlin Rhodes, a student from Merchiston, said: “I came last year as well and it’s a really peaceful, chilled-out event. Everyone is positive and friendly, and I love the music. People of all different cultures come along and mix together which is what it’s about.”