# Dashanan Mandir: At This 135-Year-Old Kanpur Temple, Ravan Is Worshipped On Dussehra
As India prepares for the grand spectacle of Dussehra on October 2, 2025, vibrant Ramleelas will unfold across the nation, culminating in the dramatic burning of Ravana's effigy—a timeless symbol of good triumphing over evil. But in the bustling Shivala locality of Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, the festivities take an extraordinary turn. Here, at the 135-year-old Dashanan Mandir, devotees don't set Ravana ablaze. Instead, they unlock the temple's ancient doors for a single day to offer prayers, perform aarti, and chant "Jai Lankesh" in reverence to the ten-headed demon king. This unique tradition challenges the conventional narrative, celebrating Ravana not as a villain, but as a profound scholar and unwavering devotee of Lord Shiva.
## The Origins of a Revered Enigma
Nestled outside the revered Chinnamasta Temple in Prayag Narayan Shivala, Dashanan Mandir—literally "Temple of the Ten-Faced One"—was constructed around 1890 by Maharaj Guru Prasad Shukl (also referred to as Jaiprakash Shukla in some accounts), a visionary king from the neighboring Unnao district. The temple's founding was inspired by Ravana's legendary devotion to Shiva, the destroyer in the Hindu trinity. According to lore, Ravana, the scholarly ruler of Lanka, composed the *Shiva Tandava Stotram*—a powerful hymn still chanted today—and once lifted Mount Kailash in a bid to impress the god. His penance earned him divine boons, but his hubris led to his downfall at the hands of Lord Rama.
At Dashanan Mandir, Ravana is portrayed as the eternal guardian of Goddess Chinnamasta, a fierce form of Devi symbolizing self-sacrifice and transcendence. A striking five-foot-tall idol of the demon king stands sentinel outside the shrine, his ten heads adorned with a serene expression that belies his mythical ferocity. For 364 days of the year, the idol remains shrouded and the temple sealed, symbolizing Ravana's "captivity" in the shadows of history. But on Dussehra—believed by some to be Ravana's birthday—the locks are ceremoniously undone, inviting thousands to honor his virtues over his vices.
## A Day of Devotion: Rituals and Revelry
Come Vijayadashami, Dashanan Mandir transforms into a hive of spiritual fervor. The rituals commence at dawn with meticulous cleaning and adornment of the idol. Devotees, hailing from Kanpur and beyond, queue up with offerings of mustard oil, flowers, and prasad. The air fills with the rhythmic beats of drums and the fragrance of incense as priests perform the sacred aarti, waving lamps before Ravana's imposing form.
Unlike the nationwide Ravan Dahan, where effigies blaze under the evening sky, here the focus is on introspection and blessings. Worshippers light earthen diyas and seek Ravana's grace for wisdom, courage, and protection from planetary doshas (astrological afflictions). "Ravana was no mere demon; he was a maha brahman, a master of the Vedas and Veena," explains temple convenor Dhananjay Tiwari. "His worship reminds us that even the mightiest can fall to arrogance, teaching humility alongside knowledge." By evening, as fireworks light up distant Ramlila grounds, the temple's doors close once more, sealing the idol away until the next Dussehra. A modest fair accompanies the event, blending devotion with community joy.
This year, with Dussehra falling on October 2, organizers anticipate over 30,000 visitors, a testament to the temple's enduring allure in an era of social media virality.
## Why Worship the 'Demon'? A Deeper Philosophy
In the Ramayana, Ravana embodies adharma—his abduction of Sita sparking the epic war. Yet, Dashanan Mandir's tradition peels back these layers to reveal a multifaceted icon. As a Shiva bhakt par excellence, Ravana's story underscores themes of redemption and the duality of human nature: immense intellect shadowed by ego. Devotees believe his darshan wards off graha doshas and bestows scholarly prowess, making the temple a beacon for students and professionals alike.
This isn't an isolated phenomenon. India boasts several Ravana shrines, from Bisrakh village near Greater Noida—claimed as his birthplace—to temples in Vidisha, Mandsaur, and Kakinada, where he's revered as an ancestor or Shiva's ardent follower. These sites highlight Hinduism's rich tapestry, where even antagonists are granted nuance, fostering tolerance and philosophical depth.
## A Timeless Lesson in the Heart of Kanpur
Dashanan Mandir stands as a poignant counterpoint to Dussehra's fiery spectacles, inviting us to question binaries of good and evil. In an age of polarized narratives, this 135-year-old sanctuary in Kanpur whispers a profound truth: true victory lies not in destruction, but in understanding and balance. As the temple's doors swing shut on October 2, 2025, they leave behind a legacy of devotion that transcends myth, reminding us that even demons deserve their day in the light.
If you're in Kanpur this Dussehra, make the pilgrimage to Shivala. Who knows? A glimpse of the ten-faced guardian might just unlock the wisdom within. Jai Lankesh!
