Dussehra is one of the most significant Hindu festivals, celebrated with enthusiasm throughout the sub-continent. It remembers the victory of the god Rama over the demon-king Ravana, who had been foolish enough to abduct his wife, Sita. In Delhi the festival is celebrated by the burning of effigies in private back gardens, accompanied by far more elaborate bonfires in public places.

Huge wooden effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhkarn and his son Meghnad are erected and stuffed with fireworks. A quite dazzling, although somewhat chaotic and dangerous, pyrotechnics display follows, as the demons are burnt and the fires light up the night sky.