Pune: In a first for Shri Mahalakshmi Temple at Sarasbaug, Pune, a grand Ravan Dahan ceremony will be held on the occasion of Dussehra on October 12, 2024.

The event is set to be an extraordinary one for Pune residents, as it marks the temple’s inaugural celebration of Ravan Dahan, symbolizing the victory of good over evil.

The temple, which has never hosted such a ceremony before, will feature the symbolic burning of a Ravana effigy to address pressing societal issues.

Dussehra, a festival that celebrates the triumph of righteousness, will be used to cast light on several challenges faced by society.

In this symbolic Ravan Dahan, ten of Ravana’s heads will represent ten major social issues, including social discrimination, unemployment, mental stress, child abuse, environmental imbalance, violence against women, addiction, cybercrime, neglect of senior citizens, and the addiction to digital devices. These problems, considered hurdles to social progress, will be symbolically destroyed in the ceremony.

As part of the ritual, prayers will be offered for the eradication of these social evils, with the aim of promoting peace, harmony, and well-being within the community.

Along with the Ravan Dahan, the grand "Kalpavriksha" decoration inside Shri Mahalakshmi Temple has become a special attraction this year. The temple committee has extended an invitation to devotees to visit the sacred temple, express their devotion to the goddess, and partake in the religious and cultural festivities.

The Ravan Dahan will take place on Saturday, October 12, at 9:30 PM, with Pune residents encouraged to gather in large numbers to witness the event.

The ceremony will be held in the presence of deities Shri Mahasaraswati, Shri Mahalakshmi, and Shri Mahakali, as per the temple’s tradition.

The temple committee expressed their hope that this Dussehra celebration will not only be a religious event but also a significant step toward raising awareness and inspiring social change.