During the festival, people wearing elaborate costumes typically enact the Ramlila – a theatrical rendition of the two millennia-old epic Ramayana.
These performances take place on brightly lit stages, where artists dressed in vibrant costumes and makeup, play characters from the epic.
They narrate stories of Lord Ram’s exile from his wife Sita and brother Lakshman, Sita’s abduction by the demon-king Ravan and the ultimate battle that leads to her rescue.
The final act of the Ramlila is enacted on Dussehra day, when Ravan is killed by Ram, symbolising the triumph of good over evil.
This is marked by burning colourful effigies of Ravan, his brother Kumbhkaran and son Meghnath.
Large crowds gather to witness the spectacle and watch the figures go up in flames.
