Image source, AP
The festival includes a variety of celebrations involving actors playing deities - pictured here an actor portraying Lord Ram prepares ahead of a procession in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh
ByRachita Prasad
BBC News, Mumbai
Millions of people across India are marking Dussehra, one of the country's most widely celebrated Hindu festivals, with processions, prayers and the ceremonial burning of giant effigies to symbolise the triumph of good over evil.
The festival is observed with different rituals and traditions across different parts of the country but with grand celebrations everywhere.
It commonly marks the deity Lord Ram's victory over the mythological 10-headed king Ravan.
The festival coincides with Vijayadashami, celebrated in eastern, southern and other parts of India, to honour goddess Durga slaying the buffalo demon Mahishasura.
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Giant effigies of the 10-headed king Ravan are brought out and burnt as part of festivities in Ahmedabad
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Ramlila, a theatrical performance based on the Hindu epic Ramayan, is performed as part of Dussehra celebrations, seen here in Noida
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The vanquishing of the 10-headed king Ravan is celebrated as the victory of righteousness over evil, with Sita placing a victory garland around the neck of her husband Lord Ram
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Smaller Ravan effigies are a common sight at markets ahead of the Dussehra festivities, such as at this one in Delhi
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The festival is celebrated in different ways across the country - here, people buy flowers at a market in Bengaluru ahead of Dussehra
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Marigolds are associated with the celebrations as a symbol of the victory of good over evil, harvested ahead of Dussehra around the country
Hindus follow a lunar calendar, and Dussehra falls on the 10th day after Navratri, a nine-night festival of worship and celebrations.
In the days leading up to Dussehra in northern India, performers wear elaborate costumes and make-up to stage Ramlila, the dramatic retelling of the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana. They recount Lord Ram's exile and his wife Sita's abduction by Ravan, culminating in the battle that symbolises the victory of good over evil. The final act is followed by the ritualistic burning of the effigies of Ravan, his brother, Kumbhkaran, and son Meghnath.
The vibrant stage is usually accompanied by a carnival-like atmosphere with food stalls, rides and smaller performances.
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Ramlila performances often coincide with wider family-friendly events including stalls and rides, as pictured here in Noida
In the east and some other parts, as well as among Hindus in Bangladesh, the festival sees devotees worshipping the divine feminine power with Durga Puja celebrations.
Temporary tents housing idols of Goddess Durga and other deities are set up across cities and towns. People visit these structures, known as pandals, where Durga is often depicted slaying the buffalo demon Mahishasura.
Current affairs often make their way into the traditional celebrations, like theme-based decoration of tents in Kolkata city, which is famous for its Durga Puja celebrations.
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Goddess Durga is depicted in celebrations as part of Durga Puja, who is said to have slayed the buffalo demon Mahishasura - artisans work on idols for weeks ahead of the event, as seen here in Kolkata
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Devotees light oils lamps during Sandhi Puja, an auspicious moment of Durga Puja
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Elaborate and artistic temporary tents are set up to house idols for Durga Puja
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Traditional dances such as Gujarat's Garba form a key part of community celebrations
Dussehra also marks the beginning of preparations for Diwali - the festival of lights - which is held 20 days later.
Extracted and lightly reformatted for readability. · Source: pt