Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh: In most parts of the country, Dussehra is marked by the burning of Ravan’s effigy, symbolising the victory of good over evil. But in Mandsaur, a centuries-old tradition sets this city apart; here, Ravana is worshipped in the morning and symbolically slain in the evening.

The reason lies in a local belief. According to legend, Mandsaur is considered the maternal home of Mandodari, Ravan’s wife. This association gives Ravan the status of a revered son-in-law of the region, worthy of prayers before his ritual death later in the day.

Rajesh Bharadwaj, Secretary of the Namdeo Samaj in Mandsaur, explained, "On Dussehra, at 9 am we will come from Laxminath Bada Temple, celebrating the occasion with drums, and tie red threads on his feet for peace and protection of Mandsaur city.

Along with this, since in the evening, the ritual of killing Ravana is to be conducted in the evening, an invitation for war will be given to him on behalf of Lord Ram's army and he will be symbolically killed at sunset. This is a unique tradition wherein in the morning we offer prayers and kill (Ravana) in the evening."

The city’s towering idol of Ravan attracts not just locals but also visitors from nearby towns who are curious about the practice.

Ashish Dave, a resident of Ratlam, shared, "There is a large idol of Ravana. Prayers are also held here before Dussehra. He was a scholar. Prayers are offered here on a large scale. Prayers are offered to him just like a son-in-law."

For many first-time visitors, the tradition comes as a revelation. Pratibha Jani from Jhabua said, "This is a very good place. I came to see it after I came to know that this place has a large statue of Ravana. He is considered a son-in-law of this place and prayers are offered to him.

When I came here and talked to people, I came to know that on Dussehra prayers are offered to this statue according to proper rituals. Prayers are offered to him like he is a son-in-law; this is a new thing I came to know."

Thus, while effigies of Ravan burn across India on Dussehra, in Mandsaur the demon-king is first honoured, then symbolically slain, a tradition that reflects both reverence and ritual, blending devotion with mythology in a way unique to this land.