Ravana

Dussehra 2022: What is the significance of Ravana's 10 heads?

Ravana's 10 heads went from symbolising his mastery over the shastra and Vedas to his flaws. Here's what they signify

Plane truth or flight of fancy? Sri Lanka to resume research on 'aviator' Ravana, India invited to join

There is a renewed interest in Sri Lanka about Ravana and his kingdom. The island nation has also sent a satellite called Ravana to the outer space to honour him

Dussehra 2021: Why Vijaya Dashami is celebrated after Navratri

As per Hindu mythology, Dussehra is celebrated after Navratri because it is believed that Lord Ram worshipped Goddess Durga before starting his journey to defeat Ravana on Lord Vishnu’s advice

Ravana in the Ram Rajya age: A look at cultures that revere the mythological figure

Several communities in India are resisting, both knowingly and unknowingly, the imposition of a universal telling of the Ramayana that seeks to deny their particular histories.

Dussehra 2019: Last day of Navratri celebrated as Vijay Dashami; all you need to know about the auspicious day

While some devotees associate the day of Dussehra with the epic battle of Ramayana, others commemorate Goddess Durga’s victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura.

In 'Surpanakha', Kathak dancer Ashavari Majumdar looks at Ravana's sister through a feminist lens

Ashavari Majumdar's Surpanakha draws on different versions of the Hindu epic and is divided into three parts, which explore the character's relationships with Ravana, Rama and Sita

Rama, Ravana and Jhansi Ki Rani: Political leaders are often likened to historical figures, potrayed as demons and gods

Two posters went viral recently which portrayed Rahul and Priyanka as 'Lord Ram' and 'Goddess Durga' respectively. It is interesting to note here, that reportedly, Priyanka's grandmother Indira Gandhi was also once portrayed as Goddess Durga.

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni on Forest of Enchantments, timeless epics, comparisons between Sita and Draupadi

If symbolically, Sita, being the daughter of the earth, is in tune with the power of nature, then Ram embodies the laws of the city or civilization, everything that opposes Sita’s power — natural, emotional and free flowing

Mythology for the Millennial: Whether Ravana was evil is debatable — his violation of consent is not

The Uttara Kanda details an episode where Ravana raped an apsara. However, it is possible that this incident was included in the Ramayana so that we don't feel any sympathy for the so-called Demon King

Man who played Ravana killed in Amritsar train accident; family seeks job, compensation for his widow

The man who played the character of demon king Ravana at the Ram Leela at Joda Phatak was among those killed in the train accident.