// BBC WORLD NEWS — MONDO
In pictures: Dussehra celebrated across India as triumph of good over evil
The festival includes a variety of celebrations involving actors playing deities - pictured here an actor portraying Lord Ram prepares ahead of a procession in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh
Millions of people across India are marking Dussehra, one of the country's most widely celebrated Hindu festivals, with processions, prayers and the ceremonial burning of giant effigies to symbolise the triumph of good over evil.
The festival is observed with different rituals and traditions across different parts of the country but with grand celebrations everywhere.
It commonly marks the deity Lord Ram's victory over the mythological 10-headed king Ravan.
The festival coincides with Vijayadashami, celebrated in eastern, southern and other parts of India, to honour goddess Durga slaying the buffalo demon Mahishasura.
Giant effigies of the 10-headed king Ravan are brought out and burnt as part of festivities in Ahmedabad
Ramlila, a theatrical performance based on the Hindu epic Ramayan, is performed as part of Dussehra celebrations, seen here in Noida
The vanquishing of the 10-headed king Ravan is celebrated as the victory of righteousness over evil, with Sita placing a victory garland around the neck of her husband Lord Ram
Smaller Ravan effigies are a common sight at markets ahead of the Dussehra festivities, such as at this one in Delhi
The festival is celebrated in different ways across the country - here, people buy flowers at a market in Bengaluru ahead of Dussehra