No Dussehra At Baijnath—The Town Known As ‘Abode of Lord Shiva’
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[*]Baijnath is a quaint town globally known for its ancient Lord Shiva temple—a protected ASI-managed monument.
[*]Unlike most towns in Himachal Pradesh, which celebrate Dussehra by burning effigies of Ravana to symbolise the triumph of good over evil, Baijnath, on the banks of the Binwa River, refrains from such festivities.
[*]Milap Chand, a trustee of the Lord Shiva temple, says the town’s unusual practice stems from a mythological tale about King Ravana.
Nestled in the foothills of the Dhauladhar ranges, Baijnath is a quaint town globally known for its ancient Lord Shiva temple—a protected monument managed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and worshipped by locals.
However, Baijnath stands apart from places like Kullu, where centuries-old traditions of Dussehra emphasise religious devotion to Lord Raghunath (Lord Rama) through week-long festivities. In contrast, Baijnath’s identity comes from different customs rooted in its unique mythology.
Unlike most towns in Himachal Pradesh, which celebrate Dussehra by burning effigies of Ravana to symbolise the triumph of good over evil, Baijnath, on the banks of the Binwa River, refrains from such festivities. This rare exception is due to a local legend about demon king Ravana, making Baijnath’s approach a clear contrast to national traditions.
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