📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Pete Birkinshaw
Religion
Ravana effigy burned on Diwali eve in Badwani’s Navalpura, a tradition spanning generations
✍️ Amar Ujala · Madhya Pradesh
🗓 10 Nov 2026, 08:15 PM
👁 14
In Badwani’s Navalpura, a 15‑foot Ravana statue was set ablaze on Tuesday evening, marking a long‑standing custom of celebrating Diwali with the effigy’s burning.
Badwani district in Madhya Pradesh observed a distinctive cultural ritual on Tuesday evening as the town of Navalpura lit a towering Ravana effigy on the eve of Diwali, a practice that has been handed down through generations. Unlike most parts of the country where the effigy is burnt on Dussehra, the locals have shifted the ceremony to the Diwali padwa, linking the mythic defeat of Ravana with the festival of lights.
The centerpiece of the celebration was a 15‑foot tall wooden figure of Ravana, which was placed in the village square and surrounded by a colourful tableau depicting Lord Rama’s court. As the sun set, the effigy was set alight amid chants, music and a spectacular fireworks display that illuminated the night sky.
Villagers, elders and youth gathered in large numbers to witness the ritual, emphasizing communal harmony and the continuity of regional heritage. Organisers said the event reinforces moral lessons from the Ramayana while also providing a festive atmosphere that unites the community.
Local officials praised the orderly conduct of the ceremony and highlighted its potential to attract cultural tourists interested in unique Indian traditions. The tradition, they noted, underscores Badwani’s commitment to preserving indigenous customs alongside mainstream celebrations.
The Ravana burning on Diwali padwa has become a hallmark of Navalpura’s identity, drawing attention from nearby districts and reinforcing the town’s reputation for vibrant, locally rooted festivities.
The centerpiece of the celebration was a 15‑foot tall wooden figure of Ravana, which was placed in the village square and surrounded by a colourful tableau depicting Lord Rama’s court. As the sun set, the effigy was set alight amid chants, music and a spectacular fireworks display that illuminated the night sky.
Villagers, elders and youth gathered in large numbers to witness the ritual, emphasizing communal harmony and the continuity of regional heritage. Organisers said the event reinforces moral lessons from the Ramayana while also providing a festive atmosphere that unites the community.
Local officials praised the orderly conduct of the ceremony and highlighted its potential to attract cultural tourists interested in unique Indian traditions. The tradition, they noted, underscores Badwani’s commitment to preserving indigenous customs alongside mainstream celebrations.
The Ravana burning on Diwali padwa has become a hallmark of Navalpura’s identity, drawing attention from nearby districts and reinforcing the town’s reputation for vibrant, locally rooted festivities.