"Is Ravana truly the villain we’ve made him out to be?"

In the grand epic of the Ramayana, Ravana is painted as the quintessential villain — the demon king of Lanka who abducted Sita and ultimately fell to Lord Rama’s arrow. Every year, Dussehra celebrates the victory of good over evil by burning his effigies, symbolizing the triumph of virtue over vice.

But mythology is rarely black and white. In certain parts of India, Ravana is not seen solely as a villain — he is worshipped, respected, and even mourned. His ten heads, representing his immense knowledge of the six shastras and four Vedas, make him a figure of scholarly prowess and devotion. His shadow still lingers over these places, not as a dark omen but as a symbol of complex duality — of intelligence, devotion, and ultimately, human imperfection.

Let’s explore six fascinating places where Ravana’s legacy continues to be felt — not with fear, but with reverence and understanding.

1. Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh – The Honored Son-in-Law In the heart of Madhya Pradesh lies Mandsaur, believed to be the maternal home of Mandodari, Ravana’s wife. This makes Ravana the revered son-in-law of the region. Unlike most places in India where Dussehra ends with the burning of his effigy, Mandsaur takes a different approach — they mourn his death.

A towering 35-foot statue of Ravana stands proudly in the town, and during Dussehra, instead of celebrating his defeat, locals offer prayers to honor his memory. To them, Ravana was a brilliant scholar and a powerful king whose downfall was tragic rather than evil.

2. Bisrakh, Uttar Pradesh – Ravana’s Birthplace Nestled in Greater Noida, the village of Bisrakh is believed to be the birthplace of Ravana. Its name is derived from Vishrava, Ravana’s father. The connection to Ravana runs so deep that the village treats Dussehra not as a celebration but as a solemn day of remembrance.

No effigies are burned here. Instead, villagers gather to reflect on Ravana’s intellect and his deep devotion to Lord Shiva. The quiet reverence in Bisrakh stands in stark contrast to the fiery celebrations seen elsewhere in India.

3. Ravangram, Madhya Pradesh – A Village in His Honor In the Vidisha district of Madhya Pradesh lies Ravangram, a village that wears its connection to Ravana with pride. A 10-foot reclining idol of Ravana rests in a temple here, where locals consider him a symbol of intelligence and strength.

Ravangram’s residents believe that Ravana’s devotion to Shiva and his mastery of the Vedas make him worthy of worship. Instead of vilifying him, they see him as a complex figure — one who was undone not by his evil nature but by his human flaws.

4. Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh – The Devotee of Shiva In the coastal town of Kakinada, Ravana’s devotion to Lord Shiva is legendary. A temple dedicated to Shiva here is said to have been built by Ravana himself. Locals believe that Ravana’s unwavering faith and spiritual strength earned him the favor of Shiva, who granted him several powerful boons.

To this day, Ravana is worshipped alongside Shiva at the temple. His presence is seen not as a shadow of darkness but as a reminder of the thin line between devotion and arrogance.

5. Mandore, Rajasthan – The Royal Son-in-Law Mandore, near Jodhpur, is believed to be the ancestral home of Mandodari, making Ravana the esteemed son-in-law of the region. A temple dedicated to Ravana stands here, where rituals are performed to honor him rather than condemn him.

During Dussehra, locals do not celebrate his defeat but remember him as a learned king and a loyal husband. The temple’s presence reflects a nuanced view of Ravana — not as a villain, but as a figure with virtues and flaws alike.

6. Kangra, Himachal Pradesh – The Penance of Ravana In the tranquil hills of Kangra, legend has it that Ravana performed intense penance to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. His devotion was so profound that Shiva granted him several boons, including his renowned strength and invincibility.

Today, the locals of Kangra see Ravana as a figure of deep spiritual strength. His penance is remembered with respect, and his connection to Shiva is honored through rituals and prayers.

A Shadow Beyond Good and Evil Ravana’s story is not merely one of villainy — it is a tale of brilliance, devotion, arrogance, and eventual downfall. These six places challenge the simplistic "good vs. evil" narrative, reminding us that mythology, like life, is rarely straightforward.

Ravana’s shadow continues to linger — not as a warning, but as an invitation to explore the deeper shades of human nature. Perhaps that’s why his story endures — because in his flaws, we see our own reflections.