Kanpur – As India ignites the night sky with the ritual burning of Ravana’s effigies to symbolize the triumph of righteousness over wickedness, one ancient temple in Uttar Pradesh defies the nationwide fervor. Nestled in the Shivala neighborhood of Kanpur, this 158-year-old sanctuary throws open its doors for a single day each year – Vijayadashami – to honor Ravana not as a villain, but as a paragon of intellect and piety.
The temple, constructed in 1868 by Maharaj Guru Prasad Shukla, a fervent adherent of Lord Shiva, remains sealed for 364 days, emerging from seclusion only to celebrate the demon king’s multifaceted legacy. Devotees flock here from dawn, forming orderly lines to conduct aarti and offer tributes to the imposing idol of Ravana, draped in ornate finery and surrounded by flickering oil lamps.
Unlike the pyres elsewhere that consume Ravana’s likeness in a blaze of catharsis, this site reveres him as a profound scholar, a ruler of unmatched prowess, and above all, a supreme bhakt of Shiva. Shukla envisioned the structure as a monument to these virtues, drawing from Ravana’s portrayal in the Ramayana as a figure whose flaws – pride and hubris – were overshadowed by his erudition and spiritual depth.
Worshippers, seeking blessings of wisdom and fortitude, present offerings of gourd flowers, said to be Ravana’s cherished bloom. The idol stands as a sentinel of inner strength, its solemn gaze drawing the faithful into a ritual that blends reverence with reflection. “Ravana was considered to be among the most knowledgeable and powerful beings. Here, we worship that wise and devoted form of Ravana,” shares temple priest Ram Bajpai. “In the evening, we burn an effigy representing his pride and arrogance.”
This singular observance underscores Kanpur’s distinctive cultural tapestry, inviting a nuanced view of Dussehra. It honors not just the defeat of malevolence, but the redemption found in acknowledging even the adversary’s noble traits. As the sun sets on Vijayadashami, the temple’s gates close once more, leaving behind a whisper of devotion that echoes until next year’s awakening.