Ravana: Demon to many, deity to some

Ravana may be regarded as a personification of evil in in Hindu mythology, but the 'demon king' is the main deity of a temple here and is worshipped by the locals.
Some locals even believe that praying to the demon king helps in finding one's life partner.
On Vijaya Dashami or Dussehra, when effigies of Ravana are set on fire all over the country to mark the victory of "good over evil", the doors of the temple here, however, remain closed.
The temple was set up about 100 years ago in Sahukar locality by Pandit Baldev Prasad, who regarded Ravana as a great scholar and a devotee of Lord Shiva.

The temple has a life-size statue of Lankesha (another name by which Ravana is referred to) standing with his hands folded before a Shiva Linga.
It also has an idol of Lord Vishnu and those of other deities, which are all smaller in size than that of Ravana.

"Pt Baldev Prasad regarded Ravana as knowledgeable and scholarly person, who had a sound logic behind every task that he undertook, including 'Sita Haran' and battle with Lord Rama," said Dr Vishnu Prakash Misra, a retired principal and a local resident.
Rashmi Verma, the main priest at the temple, said the 'demon king' is often worshipped secretly by the locals since he is regarded as a "representative" of evil in the Hindu mythology.

There is also a belief that those who pray and worship at the temple get married in an year's time, Verma added.
The temple remains closed on the day of Vijaya Dashami and those who revere Ravana do not celebrate it, Verma added.