Every Dussehra, towering effigies of Ravana go up in flames as people celebrate Lord Rama's victory over him. But did you know that in some parts of India, people worship Ravana instead of burning his effigy? For these communities, Ravana is remembered not only as the antagonist of the Ramayana but also as a learned king, a devotee of Lord Shiva, and a figure connected with local traditions. From a temple in Kanpur that opens on Dussehra to a village in Greater Noida associated with his birth, these five places reveal a lesser-known side of Ravana's story.
