Dussehra celebrated across India

New Delh, October 24: Dussehra festival, symbolising the triumph of good over evil is being celebrated across the country on Wednesday while Lakhs of devotees are thronging various temples and puja pandals to offer prayers to "Goddess Durga".

The day is also celebrated as Vijay Dashmi.

A string of rituals took place throughout the day.

The three day Durga Puja culminates today with the immersion of Durga Idols.

In northern India, Dusherra is being celebrated in honour of Rama and effigy of demon king "Raavan" burnt with great pomp and show.

Prez Pranab Mukherjee,Vice President Hamid Ansari, PM Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and a host of political figures participated in Ravan dahan, marking the culmination of Dussehra festivities at Subhash Maidan in New Delhi.

During the event, the effigies of Ravan, his brother Kumbhkarn and Ravan's son Meghnad were burnt to symbolically represent the victory of good over evil.

Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi joined Congress President Sonia Gandhi for Ravan Dahan event at Ramlila Maidan of New Delhi.

Thousands of devotees from far off places attended the famous Kullu Dussehra festivities, organised by the district administration.

Festivities were also high in different parts of South India.

In Karnataka thousands of people flock every year to witness the famous Mysore Dussehra.

In Kolkata, thousands of people descended on the streets and elsewhere to admire the pandals.

In Odisha, lakhs of devotees participated in community pujas being organised at various places in the state.

President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, UPA President Sonia Gandhi has greeted the nation on the auspicious occasion of Vijaya Dashami.