PHOTOS: PM, Sonia slay demons @ Ramlila Maidan

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Sunday took aim at giant effigies of ten-headed demon king Ravana, his son Meghnad and brother Kumbhakaran before they were burnt to ashes at the Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi.

President Pranab Mukherjee and Vice-President Hamid Ansari were among a large number of dignitaries who saw the evil going up in smoke.

Crowds burst into cheers as the fire crackers-stuffed effigies, dotting grounds and open spaces, crackled in fiery splendour at sundown.

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With police keeping a hawk-eye vigil, the festivities passed off peacefully in different parts of the country.

Celebrations, however, were low-key in the country's east coast where cyclone Phailin, the country's worst in 14 years, wreaked havoc leaving a trail of destruction.

Dussehra, which also marks the end of scorching summer and heralding of winter, is preceded by nine auspicious days of Navaratri during which devotees pray, fast and feast.

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Ramlilas, vivid enactments from the life of Lord Rama, were staged in large parts of the country during the nine days preceding the festival.

A number of fairs were also held on the occasion of Dussehra which also symbolises the triumph of warrior Goddess Durga over buffalo demon Mahishasura.

Mahanavami, signifying the third and penultimate day of Goddess Durga's visit to earth, was celebrated in West Bengal as rains, triggered by cyclone Phailin, drenched parts of the state.

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Bollywood celebrities took time out to wish their fans happiness, health and prosperity on the auspicious occasion.

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan tweeted "A most prosperous and happy Dussehra and Vijaydashmi to all... victory over evil and conquest over all the bad that exists."