No Effigies, Only Prayers: Mathura's Saraswat Brahmins Perform Aarti to Ravan
Members of the Saraswat Brahmin community in Mathura oppose Ravan effigy burning, celebrating his scholarly stature with a special aarti.
While millions across India celebrated Vijayadashami by setting fire to towering effigies of the demon-king Ravan to symbolise the victory of good over evil, a different tradition unfolded in Mathura. Members of the Saraswat Brahmin community chose to honour the legendary figure, performing a special aarti and offering prayers to Ravan instead of participating in his symbolic destruction.
Honouring the Scholar Over the Demon
The ceremony was led by the Lankesh Bhakt Mandal, whose patron, Omveer Saraswat, voiced strong opposition to the customary burning of Ravan's effigies. Highlighting Ravan's identity as a member of the Saraswat community, Omveer emphasised that Ravan was not merely a villain but a profound scholar of immense knowledge.
The community believes that the act of burning his effigy overlooks his intellectual contributions and his stature as a learned man, leading them to condemn the practice during the Vijayadashami festivities.
The Untold Bond: Ravan as Lord Ram's Acharya
During the event, Omveer shared a poignant narrative that challenges the traditional perception of the enmity between Lord Ram and Ravan. He recounted a story from various narratives suggesting that Ravan once served as the acharya (priest or preceptor) for Lord Ram.
According to this account, when Lord Ram was in exile and sought to install Lord Shiva at Rameshwaram, it was Ravan who performed the duties of the priest. Following the successful installation, the ritual of offering dakshina (a ritual fee) arose.
"Lord Ram asked him what he desired as dakshina. Ravan replied, 'You are in exile; what could you possibly offer?' Lord Ram insisted, 'We are Kshatriyas; we shall certainly provide it,'" Omveer explained.
A Final Wish Granted
The narrative further reveals that Ravan, mindful of the uncertainty of life and sensing his own end was near, asked for a unique boon instead of material wealth. He requested that when his final moments arrived, both his yajmans (patrons)—Lord Ram and his brother Laxman—be present before him.
Omveer noted that according to these records, this wish was fulfilled, and both Lord Ram and Laxman were indeed present by Ravan's side as he breathed his last.
The Clash of Traditions
The celebration of Vijayadashami typically marks the conclusion of Navratri and is widely seen as the triumph of righteousness over wrongdoing. The tradition of 'Ravan Vadh' (the slaying of Ravana) serves as a reminder to rid oneself of negativity and celebrate the victory of light over darkness.
However, for the Saraswat Brahmins of Mathura, the day is an opportunity to remember the scholarly brilliance and the complex relationship between two of the most significant figures in ancient epics, choosing reverence over the flame.