On October 13th, devotees at ISKCON Devasadan Mandir in Detroit, Michigan, celebrated the annual Dussehra festival. This event commemorates the victory of good over evil. Dussehra is the day when the evil King Ravana, who was well-known for causing atrocities to his citizens, was slain by the virtuous King Rama. Typically, this celebration includes the burning of Ravana, which symbolizes this defeat. The Ravana effigy burned in Detroit was 18 feet tall, making it the tallest in the USA.

ISKCON Devasadan Mandir was the first Vaishnava temple to open in southeast Michigan and is located in the historical Fisher Mansion. The beauty of this temple’s structure and architecture is unparalleled and irreplaceable. The 22,000-square-foot mansion is surrounded by four acres of formal gardens, multiple sculptures, and a splendid lake. The building was initially purchased for ISKCON by devotees Alfred Ford (great-grandson of Henry Ford) and Elisabeth Reuther Dickmeyer (daughter of United Auto Workers President Walter Reuther). Timeless and captivating, the 1922 Fisher Mansion is a historical masterpiece that is worth a visit.

The Dussehra program at the mansion began with an inspiring Sunday Feast talk given by Anuttama Das. After which, there was a four-act drama by the children of ISKCON Detroit’s Sunday School. The delightful performance reenacted the conduct of the evil king and the events that led up to the battle between Ravana and Rama. At the end of the drama, there was also a beautiful bhajan, sung by the youth from the Sunday School, glorifying Lord Rama. Together, the drama and bhajan lasted an hour. Following that, very delicious food (prasadam) was served to all the attendees.

Then, devotees headed outside to view a magnificent fireworks show, which lasted an additional hour. The weather outside was quite cooperative. A starry sky and a bright moon combined with the beautiful lake made a picturesque setting for the event. Soon after the fireworks, the burning of Ravana commenced. A large crowd filled the area as devotees chanted “Jai Sri Rama!” and watched the huge Ravana effigy burn to the ground.

The burning of Ravana.

Nitya Kishori Devi Dasi, marketing facilitator of ISKCON Detroit, said of the celebration, “It was an amazing experience of seeing good versus evil. The dramas and the burning of Ravana truly showed how we can overcome the evils of this world if we come together.”

A guest mentioned how they enjoyed bringing their family here, saying, “It’s a very family-friendly place, and everyone can enjoy the festival, regardless of age!”

One of the next big events held being hosted at the temple is the Krsna Kidz Camp, an exciting three-day camp for kids held November 28-30th. To learn more about it and other events coming up at ISKCON Devasadan Mandir, please visit their website and follow their Facebook page.