Hindu fire festival goes off with bang

Published on Monday 5 October 2009 01:51

SPARKS flew this weekend as Hindus throughout Scotland celebrated one of the most important Indian festivals in the calendar, Dussehra, which marks Lord Rama's victory over demon Ravana.

On Calton Hill, in Edinburgh, three burning effigies lit up the sky as thousands of revellers celebrated the triumph of good over evil.

And as the 25ft flaming effigies burnt to the ground last night, hundreds of fireworks were set off above the delighted crowds.

One of India's most popular festivals, Dussehra is celebrated all over the sub-continent for several days every October.

It tells the story of the Ramayana – one of the great Hindu epics, in which Lord Rama and his army try to rescue his wife, Sita, from the evil King Ravana. After a fierce battle, Ravana is beheaded and Sita is freed.