Photos: Dussehra celebrated in India on a subdued note

A burning effigy of Ravana during the Dussehra celebrations, in Amritsar. Dussehra or Vijayadashami marks the end of both Durga Puja and the nine-day long Navratri festival. Celebrated with much fervour, the day symbolises the victory of good over evil when Goddess Durga killed Mahishasura, the demon king. It is also said that this was the day when Lord Rama defeated Raavan.

Hindu devotees light oil-lit lamps as they participate in religious ritual marking the Hindu festival 'Durga Puja', in Ahmedabad.

A boy holds a bow and arrow near an effigy of the Hindu demon King Ravana, stuffed with firecrackers, before being burnt on the occasion of the Hindu festival of Dussehra that marks the triumph of good over evil, in Amritsar. Dussehra festival commemorates the victory of Hindu Lord Rama over Ravana, a ruler who had abducted Rama's wife, Sita Devi.

Defence Minister Rajath Singh performs Shastra Puja on the occasion of the Dussehra festival, at the Sukna Army Camp in Darjeeling. The word Shastra Puja has connotations of honouring the very weapons one uses to defeat his enemies. Dussehra or Dasara, as is called in some part of India, is one of the most auspicious days of the year according to the Hindu calendar. The tradition of Shastra Puja is said to have started in ancient India. The practice remained alive in medieval times when kings and Queens paid respect to weapons. The tradition has continued in modern times as well.

Indian Hindu devotees stand in queue to offer prayers at a Hindu temple on the last day of the nine-day Hindu festival of Navratri, on Navami Dussehra in Prayagraj, India.

Hindu devotees take selfie pictures in front of the idol of the ten-handed Hindu Goddess Durga during the 'Durga Puja' festival in Amritsar.

Devotees wear PPE kits and perform traditional Dhunuchi dance on the occasion of Durga Navami at a community Durga puja to show respect to the COVID 19 front line warriors, in Kolkata on Sunday.

Police personnel perform 'Shastra Puja' on the occasion of Dussehra, at Kandivali in Mumbai.

Actress and Trinamool Congress MP Nusrat Jahan (2nd R) along with other women as she takes part in 'Maha Aastami' celebrations at a community Durga Puja pandal, in Kolkata.

Vendors arrange flowers at a wholesale flower market in Bengaluru. Health officials have warned about the potential for the coronavirus to spread during the religious festival season, which is marked by huge gatherings in temples and shopping districts.

People throng a flower market on the eve of Dussehra festival, at Dadar in Mumbai.

Mysuru: Mysuru Palace is illuminated during the Dasara festival celebrations. Vijayadashami is celebrated with much fervour in South India as well. Goddess Durga is also referred to as Chamundeshwari in these parts, with the city of Mysuru in Karnataka, which derives its name from the demon Mahishasur, being at the centre of the celebrations.

A Hindu devotees offers prayers at Sangam, the confluence of the rivers Ganges and the Yamuna on the last day of Navratri, or nine nights festival in Prayagraj, India.

Members of Bharatiya Kisan Union burn an effigy during the Dussehra celebrations, in Bathinda.

Workers of a sweet manufacturer carry a consignment of freshly fried fafda, a traditional Indian snack, for delivery on the occasion of the Hindu festival of Dussehra during early morning in Mumbai.