Some 50 km from Dharamshala in Himachal, lies a pretty town named Baijnath in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. The town is mostly noted for being home to an ancient temple of Lord Shiva (Baijnath Temple), after which the place is named.

But thats not all; do you know, Baijnath is a rare place in India where Dussehra is not celebrated, and this is why.

Soon after getting his wishes fulfilled, Ravana requested Lord Shiva to come with him to Lanka. Therefore, the Goa converted himself into a shivalinga and asked him to carry it to Lanka. However, Shiva also warned him not to put the shivalinga down on the ground on his way and, if for some reason, he does that, Shiva will settle at that very spot forever.

Soon after quenching his thirst, Ravana felt the urge to answer nature's call. So he requested Ganesh to hold the shivalinga while he relieved himself. But, Lord Ganesha kept the linga on the ground and, as told by Shiva, the shivalinga settled at the same spot in the form of Ardhanarishwar (Lord Shiva in the form of half male and half female). The spot was in the modern day town of Baijnath, where Dussehra is not celebrated in respect of Ravana's devotion to Lord Shiva.

While the whole country burns the effigy of Ravana and his clan, Baijnath has no such ritual.

About Baijnath Temple

Read more:
Baijnath: The Himachal town that doesn't celebrate Dussehra - Times of India