Dussehra 2020: India comes together amid COVID-19 pandemic to depict the victory of good over evil

Dussehra celebrations across the country on Sunday were highly subdued with the customary burning of the Ravana effigies amid a large crowd disrupted this year by COVID-19.

Dussehra celebrations across the country on Sunday, which sees the customary burning of Ravana effigies amid a large crowd every year, were disrupted this year by COVID-19. (Photo| PTI) 

In Delhi, prominent Ramleela Committees including the Luv Kush committee, one of the oldest organisers of Ramleela, shelved their Dussehra programme. (Photo| PTI)

On the day of Ayudha Pooja, people of Tamil Nadu sought divine blessings to flourish in their professional careers and things related to the same are adorned with sandalwood and 'kumkum'. (Photo| V Karthikalagu, EPS)

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh performed 'Shastra Puja' (worship of weapons) at a key military base in Siliguri which is responsible for guarding the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China in the Sikkim sector. (Photo| PTI)

Dussehra celebrations in Punjab and Haryana were also low-key with no big functions held due to the pandemic with celebrations at various places including Mohali, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Ambala and Panchkula getting muted. (Photo| PTI)

In Delhi, the Luv Kush Ramleela Committee held a Dussehra programme at Deputy CM Manish Sisodia's residence where the symbolic end of Ravana was personified by coronavirus and pollution. (photo| PTI)

Both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh saw low-key celebrations due to the pandemic as the usual hustle bustle associated with the shopping and celebrations of Dussehra was clearly missing. (Photo| PTI)

Durga Puja traditions, carried out by many households from centuries in West Bengal, saw low turnouts this year. (Photo| PTI)

In view of the pandemic situation, many such households adhered to SOPs like allowing limted people at one time, installations of sanitisation tunnels, compulsory wearing of masks and thermal checking. (Photo| PTI)

This year, more than the post-Dussehra pollution, it was violation of COVID protocols which was a concern for officials. (Photo| PTI)