How Bisrakh village in UP celebrates Ravana differently from the rest of India

In the heart of Uttar Pradesh, not too far from Greater Noida's glass towers and fancy buildings, is a village that challenges mythology. While the rest of India constructs Ravana figurines only to burn them on Dussehra, the villagers of Bisrakh come to weep. They light lamps, recite mantras, and conduct sacred rituals for the soul of a man they refer to as "Dada Ravana", (grandfather). Ravana is not the evil king of the Ramayana here. He is an ancestor, a scholar, and a guardian whose memory continues to breathe through folklore and faith. Strange but, this place exists, not known by many but, but here, what all we have constructed in our minds about Ravana is futile.

According to legends, it is believed that Bisrakh was named after Sage Vishrava, the father of Ravana. It is said that this peaceful village was the place where the great king of Lanka was born. The village elders of Bisrakh have stories going back generations, how the air in this land used to reverberate with the chants of penance done by Vishrava and his son (Ravana). The ground, say the villagers, contains the vibes of a man who became a master of the Vedas and one of the greatest followers of Lord Shiva.

To the villagers, Ravana's tale is one of knowledge, piety, and misinterpreted greatness, not arrogance and fall. They remember that Ravana was a Brahmin and a sage of great intelligence. His mistakes were human in their understanding of things. This second interpretation of his character makes him no longer a sign of evil but one of respect.

On Dussehra, while all towns rejoice the victory of good over evil, Bisrakh does something different. The village does not observe fairs and crackers. Rather, the villagers mark the day as a day of silence and recollection. Priests conduct shraadh ceremonies, praying for Ravana's soul to rest in peace. Women light lamps and sing hymns in his memory. Children learn to grow up believing that their "Dada Ravana" was not only a king, but a spiritual man who challenged divine order.
This contrast renders Bisrakh a compelling reminder of India's rich cultural layers. It defies the belief that mythology can only be interpreted in more than one manner. For them, to burn Ravana's figurine would be a betrayal.

Now, Bisrakh is slowly attracting the attention of historians and travelers interested in knowing its special tradition. A temple of Ravana is present in the village, which dates back thousands of years ago. People here have long demanded that it be conserved so that the world realizes the extent of their devotion some day. According to them, remembering Ravana's knowledge and dedication towards Lord Shiva is just as essential as recalling his pride and downfall.
In a world too ready to label and categorize, there is a gentler truth in Bisrakh. It is a lesson that every myth has nuances of gray and that even the villains can have a tale that is worth a legend. Down the winding streets of this village, amidst temple bells and chanting mantras, Ravana is not the ten-headed demon of Lanka. He is "Dada" or grandfather, the wise ancestor whose soul still protects the land in which he was born.