ISKCON celebrates Navaratri, Dussehra
BY: STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Oct 17, LONDON (HINDUSTAN TIMES) — Thousands of devotees congregated on Sunday at Bhaktivedanta Hare Krishna temple in Watford to observe Dussehra and witness the burning of a colourful thirty-foot tall effigy of the ten-headed demon Ravana.
Costumed artistes dressed as Lord Rama and his warriors shot fire arrows at the effigy to accompaniment of tumultuous music to make sure that the entire effigy, which was filled with fireworks exploded in flames.
The festival also included dramatic plays enacting scenes from the epic 'Ramayana' describing the 'final showdown' in the battle between Lord Rama and Ravana. The celebrations marked the culmination of Navratri.
Hindus here had been congregating in thousands at over 200 venues all over the country to dance and sing in traditional costumes in one of the biggest dance festivals of Britain.
"The burning of Ravana is symbolic of meditation on the victory of good over evil, both in the world and within out hearts," explained Gauri Das the President of Bhaktivedanta Manor Hare Krishna temple, "We encourage a devotional atmosphere and give a free vegetarian meal to every one of the thousands of people who will arrive."
Bhaktivedanta Manor Hare Krishna temple, originally gifted to ISKCON by Beatle George Harrison is housed in 77 acres of land outside Watford and hosts the largest Hindu festivals in the UK. It has become one of the most important sites of pilgrimage for European and British Hindus, and hosts the only Hindu seminary for priests in the UK.
