Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Dussehra was celebrated with traditional fervour across India. The 10-day festival concluded on Friday with the idol immersion ceremony. In some states, effigies of demon king Ravana, his son Meghnad and brother Kumbhakaran went up in flames, marking the triumph of good over evil.

Chennai: Devotees immerse an idol of Goddess Durga on the final day of the Durga Puja festival, in Chennai, Friday, Oct. 15, 2021. (PTI Photo)
Ayodhya: Artists perform during the ‘Ramleela’ at Laxman Kila in Ayodhya, Friday, Oct. 15, 2021. (PTI Photo)
Howrah: Women smeared in vermillion play traditional instruments on the occasion of ‘Vijayadashami’, marking the end of Durga Puja Festival, in Howrah, Friday, Oct. 15, 2021. (PTI Photo)
Akhnoor: Devotees take part in rituals during immersion of an idol of Goddess Durga on the final day of Durga Puja festival at Akhnoor near Jammu, Friday, Oct. 15, 2021. (PTI Photo)
Birbhum: Married women apply vermillion to each other as they participate in ‘Sindoor Khela’ during Vijayadashami celebrations at a community puja pandal, at Bolpur in Birbhum district, Friday, Oct. 15, 2021. (PTI Photo)
Kolkata: Devotees wearing PPE kit, exchange vermillion with each other as a part of rituals during Vijayadashimi, in Kolkata, Friday, Oct 15, 2021. (PTI Photo)
Amritsar: An effigy of Ravana burns during the Dussehra celebrations, in Amritsar, Friday, Oct. 15, 2021. (PTI Photo)