Basit Zargar/Srinagar

Members of the Kashmiri Pandit community celebrated Dussehra at Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium in Srinagar, marking the victory of good over evil with religious fervour and traditional festivities.

The celebration brought members of the community together to observe Vijayadashami, a major Hindu festival commemorating Lord Rama's victory over the demon king Ravana. The occasion symbolises the triumph of righteousness over evil and the enduring importance of truth, courage and justice.

Effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkarna and Meghnath in Srinagar

Kashmiri Pandits gathered at the stadium to participate see the burning of the effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhkarna and son Maghnath, who were defeated in a war over the abduction of Ram's wife Sita.

The three effigies symbolise the evils within human nature that we need to overcome.

The event was halted for many years following the mass exodus of Hindus in the early nineties.

Locals at the Dussehra celebrations

The event offered an opportunity for families and community members to come together and pass on their customs and beliefs to younger generations.

The festival brought together a miniscule but resilient community which chose to stay in the Valley despite the mass exodus of its members in the wake of violence, terrorism and publis unrest three and a half decades ago.

Ravana's effigy going up in flmaes in Srinagar

The gathering reflected the community's continued efforts to celebrate its festivals in the Kashmir Valley and maintain its cultural heritage.

Dussehra is celebrated with prayers, processions, cultural programmes and the burning of Ravana effigies in different parts of the country. Beyond its religious significance, the festival conveys a broader message of overcoming injustice, rejecting arrogance and choosing the path of righteousness.

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The celebration at Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium formed part of the festival's observance in Srinagar, bringing the community together for an occasion rooted in faith, tradition and the timeless message that good ultimately prevails over evil.