Temples Where Ravana's Name Is Still Chanted Today!
Ankita Rai | Tue, 20 May 2025
Across most of India, Ravana is remembered as the villain of the Ramayana—burned in effigy every Dussehra. But in a few rare places, his memory is treated with nuance, even empathy. This article explores five temples and regions where Ravana isn’t vilified but remembered as a complex, flawed, and deeply human figure. These spaces don’t glorify his wrongs; they reflect on his brilliance, devotion, and fallibility. In doing so, they remind us that every story—even the ones we reject—deserves to be heard with compassion, not just judgment.
( Image credit : Pexels )
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Across most of India, Ravana’s name is associated with defeat and destruction. Every Dussehra, towering effigies are set ablaze in symbolic celebration of good triumphing over evil. But in a few places, Ravana is remembered differently. These are places where Ravana is not celebrated, yet not condemned either. They do not seek to rewrite the Ramayana, nor do they glorify his wrongs. Instead, they recognize his humanity—his brilliance, contradictions, and devotion.
Here are five places in India where Ravana is not erased by fire, but acknowledged with reflection.
Just outside Greater Noida lies Bisrakh, a village that refrains from celebrating Dussehra. Residents believe this is where Ravana was born, and that his father, sage Vishrava, once meditated here. Rather than burn his memory, villagers offer prayers for his soul. There are no effigies or firecrackers—only quiet rituals at the local Shiva temple. In choosing remembrance over condemnation, Bisrakh offers a rare act of cultural empathy.
In Ravangram, a 10-foot-long stone sculpture of Ravana lies peacefully, said to mark a place where he once meditated. Locals and visitors do not come to glorify or condemn but to pause and reflect. The statue presents no grandeur, no drama—only stillness. It invites a moment of thought about a man who lived intensely and fell dramatically, yet remains a figure of immense depth and complexity.
In Mandsaur, Ravana is not an antagonist. He is remembered as a son-in-law, as his wife Mandodari is believed to have originated from here. During Dussehra, residents do not celebrate his defeat. Instead, they recall him as family—deeply flawed but still deserving of remembrance. It’s a powerful cultural statement about love, memory, and the space we make for human imperfection.
Tucked away in Kanpur’s Shivala area is Dashanan Mandir, a temple dedicated to Ravana that opens only once a year—on Dussehra. Inside stands a ten-headed idol of Ravana, representing intellect, strength, and devotion. Devotees gather not to defy tradition but to remember the other side of Ravana—the ardent devotee of Shiva, the scholar, the seeker. This temple stands as a quiet reminder that even the fallen can have qualities worth understanding.
In Kakinada lies the Ravana Rameshwaram Temple, built to commemorate Ravana’s intense devotion to Lord Shiva. Legend tells of him offering his ten heads one by one in penance. This temple does not ignore his failings but highlights the part of him that was humble, spiritual, and capable of surrender. It speaks to the possibility of grace, even in the wake of error.
Burning Ravana is easy. Understanding him is not. These places do not excuse his actions, especially the abduction of Sita or his unchecked pride. But they do hold space for his intelligence, devotion, and humanity. They challenge the simplified narrative of good versus evil, asking us to see the full picture. In these locations, Ravana is remembered not as a hero, but as a cautionary figure—brilliant yet broken, powerful yet undone by his flaws.
Today’s world often moves quickly to judgment. But these temples teach something different. They encourage us to slow down, to look beyond black-and-white narratives, and to recognize the complexity in people. In remembering Ravana, not just as a villain but as a human being, we practice compassion. And perhaps, in doing so, we create room for a more honest and empathetic understanding of our own stories too.
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Here are five places in India where Ravana is not erased by fire, but acknowledged with reflection.
1. Bisrakh, Uttar Pradesh — A Village That Chooses Silence Over Celebration
Ravana
( Image credit : Pexels )
Just outside Greater Noida lies Bisrakh, a village that refrains from celebrating Dussehra. Residents believe this is where Ravana was born, and that his father, sage Vishrava, once meditated here. Rather than burn his memory, villagers offer prayers for his soul. There are no effigies or firecrackers—only quiet rituals at the local Shiva temple. In choosing remembrance over condemnation, Bisrakh offers a rare act of cultural empathy.
2. Ravangram, Madhya Pradesh — Where Ravana Rests, Undisturbed
(Picture credit: Instagram)
In Ravangram, a 10-foot-long stone sculpture of Ravana lies peacefully, said to mark a place where he once meditated. Locals and visitors do not come to glorify or condemn but to pause and reflect. The statue presents no grandeur, no drama—only stillness. It invites a moment of thought about a man who lived intensely and fell dramatically, yet remains a figure of immense depth and complexity.
3. Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh — A Son-in-Law, Not a Villain
(Picture credit: Instagram)
In Mandsaur, Ravana is not an antagonist. He is remembered as a son-in-law, as his wife Mandodari is believed to have originated from here. During Dussehra, residents do not celebrate his defeat. Instead, they recall him as family—deeply flawed but still deserving of remembrance. It’s a powerful cultural statement about love, memory, and the space we make for human imperfection.
4. Dashanan Mandir, Kanpur — A Temple That Opens Just One Day a Year
(Picture credit: Instagram)
Tucked away in Kanpur’s Shivala area is Dashanan Mandir, a temple dedicated to Ravana that opens only once a year—on Dussehra. Inside stands a ten-headed idol of Ravana, representing intellect, strength, and devotion. Devotees gather not to defy tradition but to remember the other side of Ravana—the ardent devotee of Shiva, the scholar, the seeker. This temple stands as a quiet reminder that even the fallen can have qualities worth understanding.
5. Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh — Honoring Ravana’s Devotion
(Picture credit: Instagram)
In Kakinada lies the Ravana Rameshwaram Temple, built to commemorate Ravana’s intense devotion to Lord Shiva. Legend tells of him offering his ten heads one by one in penance. This temple does not ignore his failings but highlights the part of him that was humble, spiritual, and capable of surrender. It speaks to the possibility of grace, even in the wake of error.
Ravana Was More Than a Villain
Burning Ravana is easy. Understanding him is not. These places do not excuse his actions, especially the abduction of Sita or his unchecked pride. But they do hold space for his intelligence, devotion, and humanity. They challenge the simplified narrative of good versus evil, asking us to see the full picture. In these locations, Ravana is remembered not as a hero, but as a cautionary figure—brilliant yet broken, powerful yet undone by his flaws.
A Final Reflection: Looking Beyond the Binary
Today’s world often moves quickly to judgment. But these temples teach something different. They encourage us to slow down, to look beyond black-and-white narratives, and to recognize the complexity in people. In remembering Ravana, not just as a villain but as a human being, we practice compassion. And perhaps, in doing so, we create room for a more honest and empathetic understanding of our own stories too.
Unlock insightful tips and inspiration on personal growth, productivity, and well-being. Stay motivated and updated with the latest at My Life XP.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Why do some temples in India honor Ravana?They honor Ravana to acknowledge his intellect, devotion, and complex legacy beyond his role as a villain.
- Is worshipping Ravana considered anti-religious or controversial?Not necessarily—it’s viewed as a regional cultural expression, not a rejection of traditional beliefs.
- Are these Ravana temples promoting him as a hero?No, they recognize his human qualities and flaws without glorifying his actions.
