This was carried out in order to invoke the blessings of Durga Maa for the killing of Ravana, the ten-headed demon king of Sri Lanka who had abducted Seeta, wife of Lord Rama. Durga Maa divulged the secret to Rama on how he could slay the great Ravana. Hence upon vanquishing the demon Ravana, Lord Rama with Sita and younger brother Laxmana, returned victorious to his kingdom of Ayodhya on the day which is called 'Diwali'. Dassera celebrates the victory of good over evil. Enormous effigies of Lord Ravana stuffed with firecrackers are lit with flaming arrows. This delightful spectacle watched upon by a crowd of thousands usually takes place every year in Leicester where a high concentration of Asian people live; mostly Gujaratis Hindus. It is believed that any new ventures started on this auspicious day will be successful in the long run. And so ends the glorious festivities surrounding this most significant of Hindu religious festivals. | 
