New Delhi: Saying that the burning of Ravana’s effigy, the main event of the Dussehra festival, is a religious ritual and should not be reduced to mere entertainment, a priest from a temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, has invited four organizations to debate with him based on religious scriptures.
Mahesh Pujari, the priest of the Mahakali Temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, is the one who has sparked this new controversy over the burning of Ravana’s effigy.
In view of the Dasara festival, in most places including the northern states, there is a custom of burning an effigy of Ravana. This is considered a symbol of Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana and the victory of good over evil.
This year, a new debate has arisen over this custom. Mahesh Pujari, a priest at the ancient Mahakali temple in the holy city of Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh, has sparked this debate.
Mahesh Pujari has questioned this tradition of burning an effigy of Ravana and has also launched a campaign to stop the event. As the basis for this, he has pointed to major religious texts, including the Valmiki Ramayana and Ramcharitmanas, which are sacred scriptures of the northern states.
He argues that these texts describe Ravana being killed, but nowhere mention burning him. Regarding this, he has sent notices to the four organizations that arrange the Ravana effigy-burning event in Ujjain.
Mahesh Poojari
In it, he has challenged members of that organization to come for a debate with him based on religious scriptures.
He has also said that he will withdraw his opposition only if proper evidence is submitted.
Regarding this, Mahesh Pujari said, “Ravana, a Brahmin, was a scholar. A great sage. Even Sri Rama respected Ravana’s knowledge. It is very important to understand the difference between religious stories and contemporary events.
When the principles and religious beliefs of Sanatana Dharma are insulted, it is necessary to raise our voice against it. The Rama-Ravana war is a religious and spiritual event. It should not be reduced to mere entertainment or just a public event. If I receive responses to the legal notices I have sent, I will invite the concerned organizations for a discussion.
“Through this, it is not my intention to create controversy. Rather, it is necessary to gain clarity on this issue based on the sacred texts.
If the organizers submit evidence from religious scriptures regarding the cremation of Ravana, I will end my protest. If no such evidence is found, this tradition of Ravana cremation should be completely stopped,” he said.
Mahesh Pujari has tried to spread his views by putting up posters for this campaign in various parts of the city. Through these, he has appealed to the public to think about the religious validity of Ravana cremation.
This campaign is not against any individual or organization. Rather, he has been stating that it is an effort to resolve religious issues.
Mahesh Pujari has also said that his campaign is receiving support from across the country. For this, he said that he has received letters from 15 to 20 states, and that he has received letters of support from various sections of people, including Rajputs, Dalits, the washerman community, and tribal communities. Mahesh Pujari has stated that a large number of these have come from tribal communities in Maharashtra.