Dussehra 2018: PM Narendra Modi sets ablaze Ravana's effigy at Ramlilia Maidan

Dussehra 2018: PM Narendra Modi along with President Ram Nath Kovind took part in the iconic Dussehra celebrations at the Ramlila Maidan on Friday evening.

Even PM Modi took to social media site Twitter and urged the nation to ensure overall unity and development. (Image: ANI)

Dussehra 2018: Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with President Ram Nath Kovind took part in the iconic Dussehra celebrations at the Ramlila Maidan on Friday evening. PM Modi burnt the effigy of Ravan during the celebrations of Ravan Dehan in the national capital. Before the burning of effigy, Kovind addressed to the gathering at the Lav-Kush Ramleela event. During his speech he said that Ramayana gives us messages for leading an ideal life and need to pay heed to these lessons. “Ravana was a able leader, but he indulged into immoral activities. Today, we burn his effigies on Dussehra. This is a message for the society,” the President added. Even PM Modi took to social media site Twitter and urged the nation to ensure overall unity and development. "This Vijayadashami, let us pledge to ensure 'sabka saath, sabka vikas' and 'ek Bharat, shreshth Bharat'," PM Modi had tweeted. PM Modi and Kovind were accompanied by other stalwart of the Bharatiya Janata Party including BJP Delhi chief Manoj Tiwari. Earlier in the day, PM Modi had visited Shirdi in Ahmednagar of Maharashtra to attended the closing function of the Saibaba samadhi centenary. Addressing a gathering here after launching several public welfare works, Modi sought to highlight the difference between his government and the previous governments and said the current dispensation was "working faster" on development and welfare projects. Before his address, Modi performed puja at the Saibaba temple. He also participated in an event marking the conclusion of the year-long Saibaba Samadhi centenary programme organised by the Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust. Here are some images of the Dussehra Celebrations at the Ramlila Maidan today: 

Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi burns effigy of Ravan during #Dusherra celebrations at Luv-Kush Ramlila in Lal Qila Maidan. pic.twitter.com/TER0Dzw6UZ

— ANI (@ANI) October 19, 2018

PM Modi also handed over keys of houses to some beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and interact with them in Maharashtra's popular temple town of Shirdi. Apart from PM Modi, even Congress President Rahul Gandhi along with his mother Sonia Gandhi and former PM Dr. Manmohan Singh took part in Dusshera celebrations by Shri Nav Dharmik Leela Committee in the national capital today. The festival was celebrated with great enthusiasm across the country.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi, Former PM Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi take part in #Dusshera celebrations by Shri Nav Dharmik Leela Committee in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/gjsyLDWGVs

— ANI (@ANI) October 19, 2018

Dussehra is celebrated annually on the tenth day of the Navratri festival. The day marks the victory of Lord Ram over Ravana. In eastern states, the day commemorates the victory of Goddess Durga over demon Mahishasura and also marks the culmination of the Durga Puja celebrations.