New Delhi, Oct 05: Amid heightened police vigil, Dussehra and Vijaya Dashmi were celebrated with fervour in different parts of the country today with the burning of the effigies of the demon King Ravana and immersion of idols of Goddess Durga. Prime Minister Atal Bihari addressing a function on the occasion at the Subhash Maidan here said that the demon of violence has to end.
Despite tight security, festivities symbolising the victory of good over evil, were marked by enthusiasm and piety in different states including Gujarat, Delhi and West Bengal.
Dussehra was celebrated in Maharashtra yesterday.
In Mysore in Karnataka about five lakh people witnessed the spectacular procession led by caparisoned elephants that marked the conclusion of the famed nine-day Dusshera festival there.
Idols of Goddess Durga were also immersed at various places including Kolkata and Ahmedabad to mark Vijay dashami.
In Kerala the occasion was celebrated as Vidyarambham when thousands of children were initiated into learning.
Cutting across communal and caste barriers, children in large numbers participated in the initiation ceremony in places of worship and cultural centres across the state.
Bureau Report