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Dusshera Festival at Calton Hill in Edinburgh Scotland

The Dussehra Festival in Scotland is noted for the colorful Ramlila parade and the burning of the huge effigies of ten-headed Ravana, his brother Kumbhakarna and Meghnad, son of Ravana. Another interesting aspect is that the huge effigies of the demons are made by the inmates at Saughton Prison in Scotland. Dussehra which celebrates the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana, symbolizes the victory of good over evil.

It is a Herculean task to move the 40 feet high and 6 feet wide effigies from the prison to Calton Hill, where it will be burned. Transporting the effigies and the wind at Calton Hill are the main concern areas.


The effigies were normally made by Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop but in 2006 it was made by the inmates at Saughton Prison due to funding problems. The amazing work done by the prisoners prompted the organizers to approach the prison authorities this year too.

The festival is organized by the Scottish Indian Arts Forum.