On one hand preprations for celeberating Dushehra were in full swing as a mark of the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana in whole country and on the other hand there was one section in Aliagrh which observed the Dushehra as day of mourning.They believe that Lord Rama had killed Ravan who was a renowned scholar by ditching him. They say that Ravana is our family deity and we will observe condolence on that day and will keep a fast. Saraswat Brahimns believe that they belong to Ravana family tree.
Aligarh division has nearly 12 tribal communities which include Giraha, Bheel, Habura .KanJad and Bheel who worship Ravana.Apart of that one section of Kanyakubj Brahimins also worship
Ravana. They believe that Ravana is the symbol of prosperity and is god of Kanyakubj community. It is a sect of Brahimin community and Ravana had also belonged to it. A section of Kanyakubj Brahimins is making efforts to construct temple of Ravana. There is a Ravana temple in Bishrikh village of Noida. In this connection, Rajababu, Secretary Kanyakubj Brahimin Sabha says that,” Ravana is not symbol of evils but of scholarship”. He added that,” Ravana was scholar of Veda and Purans and it is not proper and justified to burn his effigy on Dussehra. PNS
Bheel and Babaria ,who are known for the crimes and hunting in thisarea also worship Ravana instead of Lord Rama. They believe that Ravana is the symbol of prosperity. On the matter , Kalu Babria says that,” whenever Bheels go for hunting , they proceed after worshipping
Ravan and those who have entered in the crime world also go for looting and stealing after worshipping Ravana as he is our familydeity.”
In this connection , eminent historian , Prof. Bishan Bahadur says that,” though Dushehra is celeberated in the country as a symbol of victory of good deeds Rama over evils of Ravana but the worship of Ravana is not a surprising thing. No body is perfect. All people have positive and negative sides. When any body accepts any one, he usually see his positive side . Ravana was also a great scholarand was an authority on Vedas and Purans. At that time no body was taller than him in the field of knowledge and so people believe that.”
Kanyakubj Brahimin community has taken up mission to enhance image of Ravana in a big way. In this connection Raj Babu , Brahimin leader said that,” Ravana belongs to Kanyakubj Brahimins but we had allowed to flourish bad and twisted image of Ravana to popularise. but now we will correct the wrongs and will bring forth positive images of that great scholar. We have launched a movement to give deserving place to Ravana. It is not proper to burn effigy ofRavana. People should keep the sentiments of other section in to accounts.
Dushehra is celebrated all over country as a symbol of the victory of good deeds represented by Lord Rama over evils symbolized by Ravana but in the village Bisrikh of Gautam Budh Nagar even today Ravan is worshiped. Entire village is worshipper of Ravana and they have dedicated a temple to Ravana wherein Ravana is deity. They observe this day in mourning.
It is being claimed that the village is linked to puranic epic era. Father of Ravana, Vishesarva was born there and the village too derived its name from him. Villagers believe that Ravana was their ancestor, they observe grief and mourn. Located at 65 km from National Capital , the village Bisrikh comes in limelight during Dushehra Every Year .
Sanjay Singh Bhati, a resident of Bisrikh told that “our village is a historic one. He told that Ravana of the epic era was from here. Thousands villagers believe that Ravana was their ancestor. Residents of village have constructed a very beautiful temple and Ravana is worshiped in its ritually”.