Warning Against Carrying Home Ravans Effigy Remains After Dussehra, Says Mahamandaleshwar Karoli Shankar Mahadev

Haridwar, October 18 (Daily Kiran) : Haridwar, October 18 — Mahamandaleshwar Karoli Shankar Mahadev has issued a caution regarding the customs associated with Ravan Dahan during Dussehra. He stated that taking home the wood from the effigy after the ritual is considered a form of superstition that invites discord, illness, and negativity into households. The true purpose of burning Ravan’s effigy is to symbolize the destruction of inner flaws.

He explained, “Certain practices during festivals are rooted in proverbs and beliefs. When people take wood from the effigy, it leads to a lack of peace in the home, creating an atmosphere of conflict, illness, and distress. We need to avoid this. The act of burning the effigy serves as a commitment to eradicate our inner imperfections.”

Mahamandaleshwar emphasized that the effigy of Ravan represents the flaws within ourselves, and the fire symbolizes purification. “There is nothing more cleansing than fire. By burning Ravan’s effigy, we convey a message to society that no matter how powerful or wealthy one may be, if they commit a wrongdoing, they will face severe consequences.”

He noted that Ravan’s life was marked by a singular event that branded him a villain: the abduction of Sita. This act was never forgiven by our great sages, and even today, the effigy is burned annually to remind us of that flaw. The message from our sages is clear: good deeds will always be welcomed and revered, while those who disrupt societal harmony will find no place among the people.

Mahamandaleshwar further pointed out that while Ravan was a learned scholar, much like the incarnations of Ram and Krishna, his knowledge did not prevent him from committing a grave sin. This failure to act justly ultimately led to his downfall.