By Tn Lifestyle Desk
Copyright timesnownews
Ravana, the demon king of Lanka, is mostly known as the one who abducted Sita, Lord Rama’s wife, and was defeated by him. But in some parts of India, people do not see Ravana as evil but rather as a learned scholar, a devotee of Lord Shiva, and a respected son-in-law. While most of the country celebrates Dussehra by burning his effigies, these places worship him as a deity. Explore these five places in India where Ravana is worshipped. Ravan Mandir, Uttar Pradesh Bisrakh village, located in Greater Noida around 50 kilometres from Delhi, is believed to be the birthplace of Ravana. It is one of the most well-known temples dedicated to the demon king in India and the village’s name is derived from Ravana’s father, Vishravas. While most regions in the country celebrate “Ravan Dahan” (the burning of Ravana’s effigy) on Dussehra, the people here do not follow this ritual, as Ravana is regarded as a god in this area. The villagers perform a yajna, or fire sacrifice, to honour him as a symbol of their culture. Ramalingeshwara & Kailashapura Mahalingeshwara Mandir, Karnataka In Karnataka, the districts of Mandya and Kolar are closely linked to the legends of Ravana. Mandya is home to the Kailashapura Mahalingeshwara Temple, where Ravana is revered alongside Lord Shiva. The temple has a sacred Shiva linga, believed to have been placed there by Ravana after he received it from the gods. Devotees believe that praying at this linga can fulfil their wishes. In Kolar, the Ramalingeshwara Temple worships Ravana under the names Ramappa or Ramalinga. The temple has four Shiva lingas that legend says Ravana brought from Mount Kailash, and worshippers believe offering prayers here brings them peace and prosperity. Baijnath Temple, Himachal Pradesh The ancient Baijnath Temple in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, is mainly dedicated to Lord Shiva, but it also has an interesting link to Ravana. According to popular belief, Ravana asked Lord Shiva to accompany him to Lanka. Shiva granted his request by taking the form of a linga but warned him to place it only after reaching Lanka. On his way back, however, Ravana was tricked by Lord Ganesha and Lord Vishnu into setting the linga on the ground. Despite this legend, the people of Kangra regard Ravana as the greatest devotee of Lord Shiva and believe the Lord blessed him for his devotion. Kakinada Ravana Temple, Andhra Pradesh In Andhra Pradesh’s East Godavari district, Kakinada is home to one of the state’s most renowned temples dedicated to Ravana. Legend has it that Ravana himself chose the site to build a temple for Lord Shiva. The temple features a massive Shivling mural reflecting Ravana’s devotion to Lord Shiva. Inside the temple, idols of Lord Shiva accompany the depictions of Ravana, making it a popular tourist attraction along the coast. Kakinada remains the only town in the state where Ravana is still worshipped. Ravangram Ravana Temple, Madhya Pradesh Ravangram, a village in Madhya Pradesh, worships Ravana as a deity. It is believed that Mandodari, Ravana’s wife, was originally from this village and the daughter of the region. The villagers regard Ravana as their son-in-law and honour him with the title “Ravana Baba Namah,” meaning “Salutations to Ravana.” A temple has been built in his honour, featuring a ten-foot-long reclining idol of Ravana. The temple attracts many devotees who come to seek his blessings for health, prosperity, and well-being. This article has been written by Khushi Sukhija. Travel News – Find latest news and tips based on Indian and World travel including top 10 travel destination, tourism information, how to reach visit and more at Times Now.
