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DELHI, INDIA, October 22, 2004: A spirit of jollity pervaded the air as Dussehra, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil, was celebrated with traditional fervor in most parts of the country today. Effigies of king Ravana, his son Meghnath and brother Kumbhakaran blazed and crackled in fiery splendor at sundown marking the culmination of the ten-day festivities. In the national capital, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh joined thousands in witnessing the torching of effigies as spectacular fireworks lit up the sky. In his brief speech, the Prime Minister asked people to draw inspiration from the festival that signifies victory of good over evil and work shoulder-to-shoulder to strengthen the country. Durga Puja celebrations were also in full swing with milling crowds of men, women and children, dressed in their new finery, thronging Puja pandals amidst blaring music. In Maharasthra, strings of bright orange marigold flowers interwoven with fresh mango leaves adorned entrance doors of various households on the occasion. Navratri, the first nine days of festivities, are dedicated to the worship of different aspects of Goddess Durga. In north India, all the ten days of Dussehra are publicly dominated by the Ramlila, vivid enactment of episodes from Ramayana that ends with the triumph of Lord Rama and slaying of Ravana.

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