When devotees mark the triumph of good over evil on Dussehra by burning effigy of Ravana in the country on Tuesday, people of two villages in Vidisha and Mandsaur district of the state instead thronged  temples dedicated to the demon king.

Dussehra is regarded as the day when lord Ram defeated Ravana. As per the tradition, the effigy of the demon king Ravana is burnt in most parts of the country. The two temples dedicated to Ravana in the state where his worshippers gather to worship him are Ravangram Ravana Temple in Vidisha and in Mandsaur.

The village Ravangram, named after Ravana himself, houses one of the most famous temples of the lankan King. Ravana’s wife Mandodari is believed to be from Vidisha.

Vidisha has a number of Ravana worshipers who visit the temple to worship him. The temple has a 10-foot-long statue of the lankan King. The temple was just like any other temple which people visited on wedding days and other important occasions.

But recently, Ravana worshipping has taken grand shape during Dussehra. Mandsaur has its fare share of Ravana worshippers who have built temples for the lankan King. The temple in Mandsaur is believed to be the place where the wedding of Ravana and Mandodari took place.

Mandsaur is believed to be the home town of Ravana's wife Mandodari. The Namdeo Vaishnav Samaj of Mandsaur believes that since Mandodari was a native of the town, Ravana is respected as the learned son-in-law.

A 35-feet tall statue of Ravana is installed in the Khanpur area of Mandsaur. "We remember Ravana for his knowledge of all the Vedas and his devotion towards Shiva. Burning his effigy is seen as a sign of disrespect towards him and so, 'Ravana dahan' is never done in this town," said Ravi Ranka, a cloth merchant in Mandsaur.