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Ravan's Temple in India: While most temples across India are dedicated to gods and goddesses, a few rare temples honour Ravana, the ten-headed king of Lanka. In some traditions, Ravana is admired for his devotion and wisdom, despite being most commonly remembered as the antagonist of the Ramayana. He is worshipped with faith and reverence in one such temple in India, which is a living example of this belief.

The first image that comes to mind when we think of Ravana is the mighty demon king from the Ramayana, who is renowned for having abducted Sita and fighting a battle with Lord Rama. He is frequently viewed as a villain, representing conceit and malevolence. But Ravana was more than just a king; he was also a brilliant student, a veena player, an astrologer, and one of Lord Shiva's most ardent followers. Because of his nuanced personality, he is regarded in Indian culture with both awe and criticism.

Interestingly, there are temples in India where Ravana is not hated but worshipped with respect. These rare temples are visited by people who believe in honouring his knowledge, bravery and devotion. Let’s know in detail about where this temple is located and why Ravan is worshipped here.

Location of the Ravana Temple

One of the most well-known temples dedicated to Ravana is located in Baidyanath Dham, Bisrakh village in Uttar Pradesh, believed to be Ravana’s birthplace. Here, people worship him as a deity. As per the people of this village, Ravana was not just a king; he was also a great scholar, a veena player, an astrologer and one of the greatest devotees of Lord Shiva.

Another famous temple is in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh, known as the Ravangram Temple. There is also a Ravana temple in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, where rituals are performed during special occasions. These temples are unique because, while the rest of India burns effigies of Ravana during Dussehra, devotees in these places worship him with offerings, prayers and rituals.

 

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Why Do People Worship Ravana?

Many people believe Ravana was much more than a villain. Here are some reasons why he is worshipped:

* Great Scholar: Ravana was a master of the Vedas and astrology.
* Devotee of Lord Shiva: He wrote the Shiv Tandav Stotra, a hymn dedicated to Lord Shiva.
* Mighty Ruler: He was known for his strong governance and knowledge of medicine.
* Musician: Ravana was a skilled veena player and patron of the arts.

Because of these qualities, many devotees respect him as a symbol of wisdom and devotion rather than just remembering him for his flaws.

History and Beliefs

According to local legends, Vishrava Rishi, Ravana's father, was born in Bisrakh village in Uttar Pradesh. The villagers consider this area to be the birthplace of Ravana, and as such, they worship him as their ancestor. They even refrain from burning Ravana's effigies during Dussehra, in contrast to the rest of the country, instead offering prayers and performing rituals in his honour.

In Himachal Pradesh, the Ravana temple is linked to his devotion to Lord Shiva. It is said that he performed severe penance here to gain boons and powers. This is why some devotees continue to worship him as a learned devotee rather than a villain.

 

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The existence of temples dedicated to Ravana shows how Indian culture embraces different perspectives. While most of the country views Ravana as a symbol of evil, there are places where he is respected as a great scholar and devotee. These temples remind us that history and mythology are not just black and white but have multiple shades of understanding.