LUDHIANA: On the one hand, when effigies of Ravana were being burnt in the country to mark the victory of good over evil, hundreds of people of Payal (a town near Ludhiana) were busy worshipping the almost 143- year idol of Ravana located here — which they consider to be very sacred — and believe that the wishes of those paying obeisance here are fulfilled. Apart from worshipping this Ravana idol by going around it in circles, the devotees also offer meat and liquor to this idol.According to locals, the tradition of Ravana Poojan was started in Payal by the Dubey family, whose ancestor Birbal Das (a hakeem) did not have any child even after two marriages. When acting on the advice of a saint, he got Ramlila conducted in his town for fulfilling his wish for a child, a year later, he was blessed with a son on the day of Dussehra.It was after this, that in the year 1835, Birbal Das and his family got a Ram mandir constructed here, and after 40 years, an idol of Ravana was also made by them. Since 1835, along with conducting Ramleela and participating in it, the Dubey family has also kept on with the tradition of worshipping the Ravana idol, and before sunset, they burn leftover pieces of cloth and other such articles into a tasla (big steel pan) kept on top of the idol.Speaking to TOI, Akhil Partap Dubey, a retired police inspector — who is a member of the Dubey clan, which takes care of Ravana idol and Ram mandir — said seven generations of our family have continued this tradition, since it was started by our ancestors. Even today, whether its youngsters or elderly, all the members of our family, including those living far away, worship this idol along with the idols of Shri Ram, Lakshmanji, and other gods. Our entire family members from Bathinda, Patiala, Chandigarh, Pathankot, and other places are camping here for the past 10 days, and along with organizing melas and Ramleela, we performed the tradition of worshipping the Ravana idol, along with lighting the fire before sunset.Interestingly, in the past, there have been attempts to demolish this idol, which stands approximately 25 feet tall, and according to locals and the Dubey family, when the attackers faced consequences for their deeds, they themselves got this idol repaired and built it again even higher. It was after incidents like these that the faith of local people in Ravana too started growing. Today, thousands of people across different religions visit Payal to worship this Ravana idol.Akhil Partap Dubey said: “During the time Giani Zail Singh was CM of Punjab, some people destroyed this idol of Ravana on the eve of Dussehra, but shortly after this incident, one after another, 3 to 4 deaths occurred in their families. When they realized their blunder, they came to Ram Mandir to seek pardon. Then, they decided to get the idol made and repay for their sins. Till today, the families worship this idol.

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