Hindu Mandir ends Dashera with burning effigy
As a girl growing up in India, Indira Chandra eagerly awaited the burning of Ravana, a wooden replica symbolizing evil.
On Sunday, Chandra, now a Libertyville resident, again awaited Ravana's destruction.
High winds threatened to cancel the burning of the 24-foot statue, but about 8 p.m. thousands gathered on the lawn of Hindu Mandir and cheered as Ravana burned to the ground.
"It is so touching to see this," Chandra said. "It feels like home."
Members of Hindu Mandir of Lake County celebrated Dashera on Sunday, the 10th day of Navaratri, or nine holy nights, which started Oct. 12.
Navaratri is observed across India to worship of the Goddess Durga, aka Shakti, and Lord Rama.
The event is one of the largest Hindu festivals of the year and celebrates the victory of Rama over Ravana, the evil king of Sri Lanka.
According to the Hindu religion, Ravana kidnapped Rama's wife, Shakti, forcing him to kill Ravana. The king's death symbolizes the victory of good over evil, Madhu Mehta said.
"What we all learn is that you should not try to capture what does not belong to you," Mehta said. "It is a very spiritual holiday for us."
Navaratri is followed by an even larger celebration, Diwali, which honors Lord Rama beginning Nov. 9.
Located near Grayslake, Hindu Mandir opened this year and serves an estimated 3,500 Hindu families from Lake, McHenry and northern Cook counties.
About 2,000 people attended Sunday's event, with cars lining Peterson Road for several hours to get into the festival.
Krithika Puga of Hawthorn Woods said the festival is a chance for adults to spend time with other Hindus and for her children Simi, 4, and Sangami, 9, to experience the culture.
"You get to see your own kind, that doesn't happen too much," Puga said.
The burning of the statue was a first for Lake County, and the first time Jaydeep Kulkarni of Vernon Hills witnessed the tradition.
Kulkarni brought his 4-year-old son Niranja to the festival. Niranja held on tight to his father's neck as the statue burst into flames.
"It is quite popular in North India, but I am from Central India," Kulkarni said. "I had no expectations and was pretty excited to see it. I was very impressed."