Evil goes up in smoke as country celebrates Dussehra

Giant effigies of ten-headed demon king Ravana, his son Meghnad and brother Kumbhakaran went up in flames marking the triumph of good over evil as fervour marked Dussehra festivities across the country on Thursday (October 22).

Dussehra celebrations at Lal Quila Ground in New Delhi on Thursday. (Source: Express Photo by Amit Mehra)

Crowds burst into cheers as the fire crackers-stuffed effigies crackled in fiery splendour at sundown. (Source: Express Photo by Amit Mehra)

With police keeping a hawk-eye vigil, the festivities passed off peacefully in different parts of the country. (Source: Express Photo by Amit Mehra)

In Delhi, President Pranab Mukherjee addressing a large gathering at Parade Ground in central Delhi appealed to people to leave aside their differences and maintain India's unity and integrity, amidst rising incidents intolerance. (Source: Express Photo)

Congress party president Sonia Gandhi, right, is presented with a bow and an arrow during a function to mark Dussehra festival, in New Delhi, India, Thursday, October 22. Dussehra festival commemorates the victory of Hindu god Rama over Ravana. The burning of effigies of Ravana, signifying the victory of good over evil, brings the festivities to a close. (Source: AP)

Former PM Manmohan Singh, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and party Vice President Rahul Gandhi holding bows and arrows during Dussehra celebrations at Red Fort in New Delhi on Thursday. (Source: PTI)

Home Minister Rajnath Singh holding a bow and arrow during Dussehra celebrations at Ramlila Ground in New Delhi on Thursday. (Source: PTI)

Dussehra, which also marks the end of scorching summer and heralding of winter, is preceded by nine auspicious days of Navaratri during which devotees pray, fast and feast. (Source: Express Photo by Amit Mehra)

People watch effigies of the ten-headed demon king Ravana go up in flames during Dussehra celebrations in Gauhati, India , Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015. Dussehra festival commemorates the victory of Hindu god Rama over Ravana. The burning of effigies of Ravana, signifying the victory of good over evil, brings the festivities to a close. (Source: AP)

Mumbai The effigy of demon king Ravana goes up in flames during Dussehra celebrations at Azad Maidan Ground in Mumbai on Thursday. (Source: PTI)

Ramlilas, vivid enactments from the life of Lord Rama, were staged in large parts of the country during the nine days preceding the festival.

The effigy of the evil king Ravana burns during Dussehra celebrations at Dushera Maidan in Jaipur on Thursday. (Source: Express Photo by Rohit Jain Paras)

The effigy of the evil king Ravana burns during Dussehra celebrations at Dushera Maidan in Jaipur on Thursday. (Source: Express Photo by Rohit Jain Paras)

A number of fairs were also held on the occasion of Dussehra which also symbolises the triumph of warrior Goddess Durga over buffalo demon Mahishasura. (Source: Express Photo by Rohit Jain Paras)

The burning of effigies of Ravana, signifying the victory of good over evil, brings the festivities to a close. (Source: Express Photo by Rohit Jain Paras)

Ram and Lakshman of Shree Ramleela committee taking selfie with public during Dussehra celebrations at Parade ground in Sector 17 of Chandigarh, on Thursday, October 22. (Source: Express Photo by Sahil Walia)

A kid gets scared while an artist dressed-up as Ravana enjoying with spectators during Dussehra celebrations in Sector 46 of Chandigarh on Thursday, October 22. (Source: Express Photo by Kamleshwar Singh)

Kids dressed-up as Ram and Lakshman with Hanuman during Dussehra celebrations in Sector 46 of Chandigarh on Thursday. (Source: Express Photo by Kamleshwar Singh)

Kaptan Singh Solanki, Governor of Punjab and Haryana and UT Administrator with other guests during Dussehra celebrations in Sector 46 of Chandigarh on Thursday, October. (Source: Express Photo by Kamleshwar Singh)

Fireworks in front of effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnath during Dussehra celebrations in Sector 46 of Chandigarh on Thursday, October 22. (Source: Express Photo by Kamleshwar Singh)