Bisrakh Village: The Unique Place in UP Where Ravana is Worshipped Instead of Burned on Dussehra

The Shiv Mandir in Uttar Pradesh's Bisrakh village is distinctively known as the Ravana temple among locals.

While most of India prepares to burn towering effigies of Ravana on October 2, a unique tradition unfolds in Bisrakh village near Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh. Unlike the rest of the country, residents here worship Ravana, the antagonist from the epic Ramayana.

Locals consider Ravana their ancestor and revere him as a "Maha Brahman" or great scholar. They believe Bisrakh is his birthplace, which shapes their distinctive Dussehra celebration. Instead of burning effigies, villagers offer prayers to Ravana, continuing a tradition passed down through generations. Many devotees believe that wishes made at this temple are fulfilled.

The Shiv Mandir in Bisrakh doubles as a Ravana temple, where a head statue of the demon king was recently installed. Ramdas, the head priest, explained, "This is Ravana's birthplace and the ashram of Rishi Brahma and Pulastya Muni. We celebrate Vijayadashami, but never burn Ravana's effigy. Instead, we place his idol before the yajna and offer prayers."

Krishna Kumar, a local resident, shared, "We regard Ravana as our grandfather or father figure. That's why burning his effigy is not practiced here."

Another villager named Sanjeev added, "Ravana worshipped this Shiva Lingam. This is an ancient Shiva temple where Vijayadashami is celebrated without burning any effigy."

Historically, Bisrakh village was known as Vishveshara, named after Ravana's father Vishrava. According to local belief, during the Treta Yuga, Rishi Vishrava was born here and established a Shiva Lingam that Ravana himself is said to have worshipped.

The temple has gained popularity on social media, attracting visitors from across India. Girish, visiting from Greater Noida, said, "This is my first visit here. I had heard much about this temple—that Ravana was born here and that this Shiva Lingam was manifested by Brahmaji. That's why I came. I've been learning about it for the past year and a half."

A family from Kerala, who discovered the temple online, also made the journey to this unique shrine. Peeta, one of the visitors, mentioned coming with her mother, husband, and sister, expressing fascination with the temple's ancient history.

Bisrakh is not the only place where Ravana receives reverence. In Kanpur, the Dashanan Temple opens specifically for devotees on Dussehra. Worshippers there chant "Jai Lankesh" and "Lankapati Naresh ki jai ho." In this temple, Ravana is worshipped as a guardian of Lord Shiva and Goddess Chinmastika.

The idol of Ravana remains covered throughout the year and is only revealed for worship on Dussehra. The temple remains closed for the remainder of the year.