Ravana - Wikipedia Ravana `` Ravan '' and `` Ravanan '' redirect here. For other uses, see Ravan ( disambiguation ). This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( April 2015 ) Ravana Statue of Ravana from 18th century CE Consort Mandodari, Dhanyamalini Children Indrajit Atikaya Akshayakumara Narantaka Devantaka Trishira Prahasta Parents Vishrava ( father ) Kaikesi ( mother ) Part of a series on Hinduism Hindu History Concepts Worldview Hindu cosmology Puranic chronology Hindu mythology God / Highest Reality Brahman Ishvara God in Hinduism God and gender Life Ashrama ( stage ) Brahmacharya Grihastha Vanaprastha Sannyasa Purusharthas Dharma Artha Kama Moksha Liberation Atman Maya Karma Samsara Ethics Niti shastra Yamas Niyama Ahimsa Asteya Aparigraha Brahmacharya Satya Damah Dayā Akrodha Arjava Santosha Tapas Svādhyāya Shaucha Mitahara Dāna Liberation Bhakti yoga Jnana yoga Karma yoga Schools Six Astika schools Samkhya Yoga Nyaya Vaisheshika Mimamsa Vedanta Advaita Dvaita Vishishtadvaita Other schools Pasupata Saiva Pratyabhijña Raseśvara Īśvara Pāṇini Darśana Charvaka Deities Trimurti Brahma Vishnu Shiva Other major Devas / Devis Vedic Indra Agni Prajapati Rudra Devi Saraswati Ushas Varuna Vayu Post-Vedic Durga Ganesha Hanuman Kali Kartikeya Krishna Lakshmi Parvati Radha Rama Shakti Sita Texts Scriptures Vedas Rigveda Yajurveda Samaveda Atharvaveda Divisions Samhita Brahmana Aranyaka Upanishad Upanishads Rigveda : Aitareya Kaushitaki Yajurveda : Brihadaranyaka Isha Taittiriya Katha Shvetashvatara Maitri Samaveda : Chandogya Kena Atharvaveda : Mundaka Mandukya Prashna Other scriptures Bhagavad Gita Agama ( Hinduism ) Other texts Vedangas Shiksha Chandas Vyakarana Nirukta Kalpa Jyotisha Puranas Vishnu Purana Bhagavata Purana Nāradeya Purana Vāmana Purana Matsya Purana Garuda Purana Brahma Purana Brahmānda Purana Brahma Vaivarta Purana Bhavishya Purana Padma Purana Agni Purana Shiva Purana Linga Purana Kūrma Purana Skanda Purana Varaha Purana Mārkandeya Purana Itihasas Ramayana Mahabharata Upavedas Ayurveda Dhanurveda Gandharvaveda Sthapatyaveda Shastras and Sutras Dharma Shastra Artha Śastra Kama Sutra Brahma Sutras Samkhya Sutras Mimamsa Sutras Nyāya Sūtras Vaiśeṣika Sūtra Yoga Sutras Pramana Sutras Charaka Samhita Sushruta Samhita Natya Shastra Panchatantra Divya Prabandha Tirumurai Ramcharitmanas Yoga Vasistha Swara yoga Shiva Samhita Gheranda Samhita Panchadasi Stotra Sutras Text classification Śruti Smriti Timeline of Hindu texts Practices Worship Puja Temple Murti Bhakti Japa Bhajana Yajna Homa Vrata Prāyaścitta Tirtha Tirthadana Matha Nritta - Nritya Meditation and Charity Tapa Dhyana Dāna Yoga Sadhu Yogi Asana Hatha yoga Jnana yoga Bhakti yoga Karma yoga Raja yoga Kundalini yoga Arts Bharatanatyam Kathak Kathakali Kuchipudi Manipuri Mohiniyattam Odissi Sattriya Bhagavata Mela Yakshagana Dandiya Raas Carnatic music Rites of passage Garbhadhana Pumsavana Simantonayana Jatakarma Namakarana Nishkramana Annaprashana Chudakarana Karnavedha Vidyarambha Upanayana Keshanta Ritushuddhi Samavartana Vivaha Antyeshti Ashrama Dharma Ashrama : Brahmacharya Grihastha Vanaprastha Sannyasa Festivals Diwali Holi Shivaratri Navaratri Durga Puja Ramlila Vijayadashami - Dussehra Raksha Bandhan Ganesh Chaturthi Vasant Panchami Rama Navami Janmashtami Onam Makar Sankranti Kumbha Mela Pongal Ugadi Vaisakhi Bihu Puthandu Vishu Ratha Yatra Gurus, saints, philosophers Ancient Agastya Angiras Aruni Ashtavakra Atri Bharadwaja Gotama Jamadagni Jaimini Kanada Kapila Kashyapa Pāṇini Patanjali Raikva Satyakama Jabala Valmiki Vashistha Vishvamitra Vyasa Yajnavalkya Medieval Nayanars Alvars Adi Shankara Basava Akka Mahadevi Allama Prabhu Siddheshwar Jñāneśvar Chaitanya Gangesha Upadhyaya Gaudapada Gorakshanath Jayanta Bhatta Kabir Kumarila Bhatta Matsyendranath Mahavatar Babaji Madhusudana Madhva Haridasa Thakur Namdeva Nimbarka Prabhakara Raghunatha Siromani Ramanuja Sankardev Purandara Dasa Kanaka Dasa Ramprasad Sen Jagannatha Dasa Vyasaraya Sripadaraya Raghavendra Swami Gopala Dasa Śyāma Śastri Vedanta Desika Tyagaraja Tukaram Tulsidas Vachaspati Mishra Vallabha Vidyaranya Modern Aurobindo Bhaktivinoda Thakur Chinmayananda Dayananda Saraswati Mahesh Yogi Jaggi Vasudev Krishnananda Saraswati Narayana Guru Prabhupada Ramakrishna Ramana Maharshi Radhakrishnan Sarasvati Sivananda U.G. 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In the Ramayana, Ravana kidnaps Rama 's wife Sita to exact vengeance on Rama and his brother Lakshmana for having cut off the nose of his sister Shurpanakha. Ravana is also worshiped by Hindus in some part of the India, Sri Lanka and Bali ( Indonesia ) He is considered to be the most revered devotee of Shiva. Images of Ravana are seen associated with Shiva at some places. He also appears in Buddhist Mahayana text Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra, and Buddhist Ramayanas and Jatakas, as well as in Jain Ramayanas. Contents 1 Etymology 2 Iconography 3 Depiction in the Ramayana 3.1 Birth 3.2 Family 3.3 Scholarly pursuits 3.4 Tapasya to Brahma 3.5 Devotee of Shiva 3.6 Priestly ministers 3.7 King of Lanka 3.8 Emperor of the Three Worlds 4 Depiction in other Scriptures 4.1 As Vishnu 's cursed doorkeeper 4.2 Conflict with other kings and Asuras 5 Historicity 6 Modern descendants of Ravana 7 Temples built by Ravana 7.1 Other temples and relevant places 8 Ravana - Dahan ( burning effigy of Ravana ) 9 Ravanahatha 10 Influence on Indian culture and art 10.1 Texts attributed to Ravana 10.1. 1 Astronomy 10.1. 2 Medicine 10.1. 3 Linguistics 10.1. 4 Spirituality 11 Alternate Ramayanas 11.1 Buddhist versions 11.2 Jain version 12 See also 13 References 14 External links Etymology Statue of Ravana at Koneswaram Temple, Sri Lanka. The word Rāvaṇa ( Sanskrit : रावण ) means roaring opposite of Vaiśravaṇa meaning `` hear distinctly '' ( passive ). Both Ravana and Vaiśravaṇa, who is popularly known as Kubera, are considered to be patronymics derived as sons of Vishrava. `` Rāvana '' was a title taken on later by Dashananda, and it means in Sanskrit, `` screamer. '' ( Ravana would sing hymns. Further, `` roravana '' is Sanskrit for `` loud roaring. '' In Abhinava Gupta 's Krama Shaiva scripture, `` yāsām rāvanam '' is used as an expression to mean people who are truly aware in terms of the materialism of their environment. According to F.E. Pargiter the word may originally have been a Sanskritisation of Iraivan, the Tamil name for a lord or king. Ravana has many other popular names such as Dasis Ravana, Dasis Sakvithi Maha Ravana, Dashaanan, Ravula, Lankeshwar, Lankeshwaran, Ravanasura, Ravanaeshwaran, Eela Vendhar. Iconography Ravana is thought to be a maestro of the veena Ravana is depicted and described as having ten heads, although sometimes he is shown with only nine heads because he has sacrificed a head to convince Shiva. He is described as a devout follower of Shiva, a great scholar, a capable ruler and a maestro of the Veena. Ravana is also depicted as the author of the Ravana Samhita, a book on Hindu astrology and book Arka Prakasham ; book on Siddha medicine and treatment. Ravana possessed a thorough knowledge of Siddha and political science. He is said to have possessed the nectar of immortality, which was stored inside his belly, thanks to a celestial boon by Brahma. Depiction in the Ramayana Birth Kubera Ravana 's Brother, Lord of Wealth and the North - direction Brahma - Ravana 's great grand father. Vibhishana ( right - brother of Ravana ), SriRama and Sita worship god Shiva at Rameshwaram looks on with Lakshamana, Tumburu and Narada Ravana was born to a great sage Vishrava ( or Vesamuni ), and his wife, the daitya princess Kaikeshi. People of Bisrakh village in Uttar Pradesh claim that Bisrakh was named after Vishrava, and Ravana was born there. Ravana 's grandfather on his father 's side, the sage Pulastya, was one of the ten Prajapatis or mind - born sons of Brahma and one of the Saptarishi ( Seven Great Sages Rishi ) in the first Manvantara. His grandfather on his mother 's side, Sumali ( or Sumalaya ), king of the Raksasas, was the son of Sukesha. Sukesa 's parents were King Vidyutkesa, who had married Salakantankata ( daughter of Sandhya ), who had abandoned Sukesha, but by the grace of Shiva he survived. Sumali had wished her to marry the most powerful being in the mortal world, so as to produce an exceptional heir. He rejected the kings of the world, as they were less powerful than him. Kaikesi searched among the sages and finally chose Vishrava, the father of Kubera. Ravana later usurped Lanka from his half - brother Kubera and became the King of Lanka. Rama had once addressed Ravana as a `` Maha Brahman '' ( `` Great Brahman '' in the context of his education ). After worshiping Shiva on the banks of the Narmada, in the more central Yadu region, Ravana was captured and held under the control of king Kartavirya Arjuna, one of the greatest Yadu kings. It is clear from the references in the Ramayana that Ravana was no commoner among the Humans or Asuras, a great chanter of the Sama Veda. Family Queen Mandodari and the women of Lanka mourning the death of Ravana. Bas - relief of 9th century Prambanan temple, Java, Indonesia Ravana 's family are hardly mentioned outside the Ramayana, which is viewed by some as being only the point of view of Rama devotees. According to that : Ravana 's grandfather was Malyavan, who was against the war with Rama and laksman. Ravana 's parents were Vishrava ( son of Pulastya ) and Kaikesi ( daughter of Sumali and Thataka ). Kaikesi had two brothers Maricha and Subahu which would effectively make them Ravana 's uncles. Ravana had six brothers and two sisters : Kubera -- the King of North direction and the Guardian of Heavenly Wealth. He was an older half - brother of Ravana : they were born to the same father by different mothers. Vibhishana -- A follower of Rama and one of the most important characters in the Ramayana. As a minister and brother of Ravana, he spoke the truth without fear and advised Ravana to return the kidnapped Sita and uphold Dharma. Ravana not only rejected this sane advice, but also banished him from his kingdom. Vibhishana sought protection from Rama, which was granted without hesitation. Kumbhakarna -- One of the most jovial demons in Hindu history. When offered a boon by Brahma, he was tricked into asking for eternal sleep. A horrified Ravana, out of brotherly love, persuaded Brahma to amend the boon. Brahma mitigated the power of the boon by making Kumbhakarna sleep for six months and being awake for rest six months of a year ( in some versions, he is awake for one day out of the year ). During the war with Rama, Kumbhakarna was untimely awakened from his sleep. He tried to persuade Ravana to open negotiations with Rama and return Sita to him. But he too failed to mend the ways of Ravana. However, bound by a brother 's duty, he fought on the side of Ravana and was killed in the battlefield. Before dying he met Vibhishana and blessed him for following path of righteousness. Khara -- King of Janasthan. He protected the northern kingdom of Lanka in the mainland and his kingdom bordered with the Kosala Kingdom, the kingdom of Rama. He was well known for his superior skills in warfare. he was killed by Rama. Dushana -- Viceroy of Janasthan. Ahiravan -- King of the Underworld ruled by the rakshasas by Ravana and the demon king Maya. Kumbhini -- Older sister of Ravana and the wife of the demon Madhu, King of Mathura, she was the mother of Lavanasura. She was renowned for her beauty and later retired to the sea for penance. Surpanakha -- The sister of Ravana. She was the ultimate root of the kidnapping of Sita. She was the one who instigated her brothers to wage a war against Rama. Ravana was married to Mandodari, the daughter of the celestial architect Maya, Dhanyamalini, and a third wife. He had seven sons from his three wives : Meghnaad ( also known as Indrajit because he defeated Indra ), the most powerful son Atikaya Akshayakumara Devantaka Narantaka Trishira Prahastha In the Bengali ballad, Meghnad Bodh Kavya by Michael Madhusudan Dutt, Beerbahu is said to be Ravana 's son. Scholarly pursuits Ravana was noted as a scholar and had knowledge of the Vedas. Even the Shaiva Nayanar saints wrote of him as such. Saint Jnana Sambandhar referred to him as, `` versed in the Vedas and learning '' and in the Tirumarais `` Sama vedamore Githa mothia Dasamukan. '' Ravana also was a musician and was specialized in both singing and the veena instrument. Saint Appar writes of Ravana in the Tirumarais that the king loved singing the Vedas, `` Veda Githangal pada, '' `` Kannalin githam pada, '' `` patthu voi gitam pada, '' `` thuttanai thuttu - thirthu - chuvai - pada - Githam ketta, '' and `` Githakinnaram pada. '' Tapasya to Brahma Following his initial training, Ravana performed an intense penance ( or tapasya ) to Brahma, lasting several years. During his penance, Ravana chopped off his head ten times as a sacrifice to appease him. Each time he sliced his head off a new head arose, thus enabling him to continue his penance. At last, Brahma, pleased with his austerity, appeared after his tenth decapitation and offered him a boon. Ravana asked for immortality, which Brahma refused to give ; in place of this, he asked for absolute invulnerability from and supremacy over gods, heavenly spirits, other rakshasas, serpents, and wild beasts. Contemptuous of mortal men, he did not ask for protection from these. Brahma granted him these boons in addition to his ten severed heads and great strength by way of knowledge of divine weapons and magic. Thus Ravana is also known as Dasamukha or Dashaanan ( Dasa being ten, mukha / anan being face ). Later, after learning from Ravana 's mother ( who can see fortune ) Ravana 's wife Mandodri brings him the nectar of immortality by suffering great hardships. Devotee of Shiva See also : Ravananugraha Ravananugraha theme. Following his conquest of Lanka, Ravana encountered Shiva at his abode in Kailash. Ravana at first went to meet Shiva. Nandi the vehicle of Shiva, refused to let Ravana in. He got annoyed and started teasing Nandi. Nandi in turn got annoyed and cursed Ravana that Lanka would be destroyed by a monkey. To show Nandi his love for Shiva, Ravana attempted to uproot and move the mountain on a whim. Shiva, annoyed by Ravana 's arrogance, pressed his littlest toe on Kailash, pinning him firmly and painfully under it. His ganas informed Ravana of whom he had crossed, upon which Ravana became penitent. He plucked out his intestines and used them as strings to compose music and sang songs praising Shiva, and is said to have done so for years until Shiva released him from his bondage. Pleased with his resilience and devotion, Shiva gave to him the divine sword Chandrahas ( Chandra - Moon, Has - laugh, literally ' the laughter of the moon ' but referring to the shape formed by a crescent moon which resembles a smile ). It was during this incident that he acquired the name ' Ravana ', meaning `` ( He ) Of the terrifying roar '', given to him by Shiva -- the earth is said to have quaked at Ravana 's cry of pain when the mountain was pinned on him. Ravana in turn became a lifelong devotee of Shiva and is said to have composed the hymn known as Shiva Tandava Stotra. Shiva had given his sword Chandrahasa with a warning that if it was used for unjust causes, it would return to the three - eyed one and Ravana 's days would be numbered. After Ravana had been given the Celestial Nectar of Immortality by Brahma, he went on to please Shiva. He cut his head & put it as sacrifice for pleasing Shiva, but Shiva replaced his head with a new one. This was repeated Nine times, on which Shiva was happy and pleased with Ravana 's resilience and devotion. The devotion to Shiva by Ravana was written about by the Nayanar saints also. `` Tham - aratthal pora - thankai kol val padai, Kamarathal Sivan Karatthu Vanginan. '' It is said that before he aimed him missile, he worshiped Isa ( Shiva ) in his usual manner and performed puja, `` Pusanai - tholil - purinthu - than - Muraimayir - potrum - Isanai - tholuthu. '' By his austerities and penances for years he obtained boons from Shiva, as longevity, and a broad bright sword, which gave him victory over battles ; `` mukkodi vannal, '' `` valodu nal avarkku arul seitha. '' It is believed by some that he made a six - stringed yal instrument, and it was his forte. With it made of his own nerves, he pleased Shiva and won His mercy and grace ; `` Tham - aratthal pora - thankai kol val padai, Kamarathal Sivan Karatthu Vanginan. '' Priestly ministers Ravana is said in some version to have had Shukra Acharya, the priest of the Asuras, as his minister, and in some versions Brihaspati, the priest of the Devas. One of the most original, which is not found in earlier manuscripts, tells how Ravana orders his court priest Brhaspati ( all the gods are his slaves ) to read the Chandi stava ( mantras of Chandi ), that is, the Devi Mahatmya, in order to stave off defeat ; if he can recite it. According to the Krttivasa text, Ravana arranged for a peaceful yajna ( sacrifice ) and to start the recitation of Chandi, Brhaspati was invited. Accordingly Brhaspati recited the same correctly. King of Lanka After winning these boons, Ravana sought out his grandfather, Sumali, and assumed leadership over his army. He then set his sights on capturing the island city of Lanka. Lanka was an idyllic city, created by the celestial architect Vishwakarma for Shiva and acquired by Kubera, the treasurer of the gods upon advice of his father Visravas. Visrava had asked for Lanka made from gold from Shiva as dakshina for the house warming ceremony he had conducted for Lanka. Kubera had generously shared all that he owned with Ravana and the latter 's siblings, who were Kubera 's half - brothers and half - sister from his stepmother Kaikesi. However, Ravana demanded Lanka wholly from him, threatening to take it by force. Vishrava, their father, advised Kubera to give it up to him, as Ravana was now undefeatable. Although Ravana usurped Lanka, he was nevertheless regarded as a benevolent and effective ruler. Lanka flourished under his rule, to the extent that it is said the poorest of houses had vessels of gold to eat and drink off, and hunger was unknown in the kingdom. Emperor of the three worlds Ravana in Sanskrit drama of Kerala, India - Kutiyattam. Artist : Guru Nātyāchārya Māni Mādhava Chākyār His abilities now truly awe - inspiring, Ravana proceeded on a series of campaigns, conquering humans, celestials and other demons. Conquering the netherworld completely, he left his brother Ahiravana as king. He became supreme overlord of all Asuras in the three worlds, making an alliance with the Nivatakavachas and Kalakeyas, two clans he was unable to subdue. Conquering several kingdoms of the human world, he performed the suitable sacrifices and was crowned Emperor. Ravana defeated Indra and the gods, Surya, Varuna and Yama. Kubera at one point chastised Ravana for his cruelty and greed, greatly angering him. Proceeding to the heavens, Ravana fought and defeated the Devas, singling out his brother for particular humiliation. By force he gained command over the Devas, celestials, and the serpent races. At the time of the Ramayana, set several years later, Ravana is shown as dominating all human and divine races -- so much so that he can command the sun 's rising and setting. Depiction in other scriptures As Vishnu 's cursed doorkeeper In the Bhagavata Purana, Ravana and his brother, Kumbhakarna, were said to be reincarnations of Jaya and Vijaya, gatekeepers at Vaikuntha, the abode of Vishnu and were cursed to be born in Earth for their insolence. These gatekeepers refused entry to the Sanatha Kumara monks, who, because of their powers and austerity appeared as young children. For their insolence, the monks cursed them to be expelled from Vaikuntha and to be born on Earth. Vishnu agreed that they should be punished. They were given two choices, that they could be born seven times as normal mortals and devotees of Vishnu, or three times as powerful and strong people, but as enemies of Vishnu. Eager to be back with the Lord, they choose the latter one. Ravana and his brother Kumbhakarna were born to fulfill the curse on the second birth as enemies of Vishnu in the Treta Yuga. The curse of first birth was fulfilled by Hiranyakashipu and his brother Hiranyaksha in Satya Yuga when they were both vanquished by earlier avatars of Vishnu ( Hiranyaksha by Varaha and Hiranyakashipu by Narasimha ) and the curse of third birth was fulfilled by Dantavakra and Shishupala in the Dwapar Yuga when they both were slain by Krishna, the eighth avatar. Conflict with other kings and Asuras Ravana had gotten into a conflict with some other major Asuras. In Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh is where he is said to have fought, but lost, to Sahasrarjuna, and he was tied up. Ravana had wrestled his cousin Paulastya for the Puspaka car. In the Ramayana, he had fought Bali the Kishkindha King, but was defeated by him. He had also fought with the Nivatakavachas, the descendants of Prahlada, but being unable to defeat them, struck an alliance with them. Historicity According to the Uttra Kanda section of Ramayana, the Rakshasa were the demons or evil people in Sri Lanka. They were led by Malyavantha, Sumali and Sukesha of the Rakshasa, who were ousted by the Deva with the help of Vishnu, and then subsequently ruled by King Ravana. There have been several Buddhist Ramayanas written, and in the Dasaratha Jataka, the Buddha is said to have been Rama in a previous life. Furthermore, even today Vibhishana ( the brother of Ravana ) is one of the compatriots of the Sri Lankans held in high esteems as a national hero. In the Ramayana, Vibhishana had defected from Ravana 's administration to help Rama overthrow the tyrant demon Ravana. Ever since then, Vibhishana has been venerated as one of the four guardians ( another being Vishnu ) of Sri Lanka. Buddhist scriptures mention rakshasas, a general term for evil people, including ones in Sri Lanka. In one story, because the island has a huge problem with cannibal rakshasas, the hero Simhala escaped to later return and rid Sri Lanka of the plague of cannibalism. Further, the Buddhist scripture Janavamsa of 15th century Sri Lanka mentions cannibalism on the island. Modern descendants of Ravana Thotsakan ( Ravana ) 's sculpture as a guardian of Wat Phra Kaew, Thailand There are some Shaiva temples where Ravana is worshiped. Ravana is considered most revered devotee of Shiva. The images of Ravana are seen associated with Shiva at some places. Just as there are Brahmins whose origins are associated with Rama, such as the Saryuparins that came into being when Rama reached Ayodhya after slaying Ravana, and the Sanadhs, who recall their acceptance of dakshina from Ramchandra on the victory over Ravana, there are also Brahmins that are associated in origin from Ravana, and these include the Daves ( of Mudgal gotra ) of Rajasthan, as well as Gujarat 's Sachoras, the Kanyakubjas of Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh, and the Brahmins of the Kaumara sub-gotra of the Vasistha gotra. Ravana himself is described in some Ramayanas to have been as Brahmin because he was the son of Rishi Vishrava and grandson of Pulastya. The Indonesian Ramabatara also described Ravana as having been a Brahmin. Ravana described himself to Sita as being of Kashyapa lineage. The Dave Brahmins of Mudgal gotra and the Shrimali Brahmins, in Jodhpur / Mandor of Rajasthan state who were originally from Gujarat, India claim to be the descendants of Ravana. The say that since time immemorial they are performing the shraddha ( death anniversary ) of Ravana on Dashehra Day every year. They offer pind daan and take a bath after that ritual. They recently erected a Ravan temple in Jodhpur, India where daily puja is performed. The Kanyakubja Brahmins of Vidisha district worship Ravana as he is personified as a symbol of prosperity and regarded as a saviour by them, and they claim that Ravana was also a Kanyakubja Brahmin. Thousands of Kanyakubja Brahmins of the village Ravangram of Netaran, in the Vidisha District of Madhya Pradesh, perform daily puja ( worship ) in the Ravan temple and offer naivedyam / bhog ( a ritual of sacrifice to the Gods ). Centuries ago King Shiv Shankar built a Ravana temple at Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. The Ravana temple is opened once in a year, on Dashehra Day, to perform puja for the welfare of Ravana. The Sachora Brahmins of Gujarat also claim to descend from Ravana, and have `` Ravan '' as their surnames sometimes. A Brahmin gotra descending from Rishi Kaumarayana, which is a sub-section of the Vasistha gotra is identified in lineage from Ravana ( `` kaumarah ravanah koksah krsnah. '' ) Saraswat Brahmins from Mathura also claim to descend from Ravana. One lawyer from Mathura, Omveer Saraswat, had written to politicians to ban Ravan Dahan. There is also reference to `` Ravani '', lineage of Upadhyaya Yasastrata II, who was of the Gautama gotra and was a son of Acharya Vasudatta, and described as `` born of Ravani '' It is interesting that In the Valmiki Ramayana, Ravana mentions himself to be of the Kashyapa gotra, and the Lankavatara Sutra says Ravana is a worshiper of Kashyapa Buddha ( a Brahmin. ) Temples built by Ravana In Himachal Pradesh Baijnath Temple was a Shaiva temple in Himachal Pradesh state, also known as Ravankhola ( Place of Ravana ). Many people believe that Baijnath is not where Ravana descended to the earth, and that either the Baidyanath Temple in Jharkhand state or Vajinath in Maharashtra state is the actual site. In Chandigarh During Dussehra before the effigy of Ravana is set ablaze, participants offer prayers to the king, because `` His father was a Brahman and people worship him for his intelligence and knowledge. '' In Gujarat Somanath - The second version of the Shaiva temple in Gujarat state is said by tradition to have been renovated by Ravana. In Maharashtra Two Hemadpanti temples were built by Ravana 's demons in Kuntalapur within Maharashtra state. In Karnataka Mahabaleshwar is a Shaiva temple in Gokarna, Karnataka is also said by tradition to have been built by Ravana. Murudeshwara is a Shaiva temple in Karnataka state is said by tradition to have been built by Ravana. It lies in the holy beach town in the Bhatkal Taluk of Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka state. Dharashwara is a Shaiva temple in Karnataka is said by tradition to have been built by Ravana. Gunavanteshwar is a Shaiva temple in Karnataka is said by tradition to have been built by Ravana. Shejjeshwar is a Shaiva temple in Karnataka is said by tradition to have been built by Ravana. In Andhra Pradesh Kakinada is a Shaiva temple in Andhra Pradesh containing a huge Shivalinga, supposedly installed by Ravana himself, with a statue of Ravana near by. Both Shivalinga and Ravana are worshiped by the fishermen community there. Other temples and relevant places In Uttar Pradesh At the Vrihadeshwar Mahadev Temple by the Yamuna River, Saraswat Brahmins, of the region claiming to descend from Ravan, worship the king. In Madhya Pradesh Ravana is said to have married Princess Mandodari at a place Mandsaur in Madhya Pradesh, India. This is so because in Mandsaur, Ravana is worshiped. At the altar can also be found the images of Saptamatri ( Seven Mothers ) flanked by Ganesha and Veerabhadra. The Saptamatri images are said to precede the time of the Pratihara Dynasty ( founded in the 6th century AD ) and are in fact reminiscent of the images of seven female deities of Harappa -- the oldest civilisation in India. In the nearby stepwell, a stone bears a script that resembles the Harappan script. In Sri Lanka Koneswaram temple, then - Dakshina Kailasam is a classical - medieval Hindu temple complex in Trincomalee, a Hindu religious pilgrimage centre in Eastern Province, Sri Lanka. This temples is associated with Ravana and his mother. They had worshiped Shiva at the shrine. Kanniya Hot water spring in Sri Lanka has the history from the King Ravana era. It says that King Ravana stuck the earth with his sword in several spots for his mother 's funeral event and several fountains were started on those places. The water was hot and it is now a tourist attraction in Sri Lanka. Ravana - Dahan ( burning effigy of Ravana ) An Effigy of Ravana with burning sparklers on Dusshera. Dashehra Diwali Mela in Manchester, England, 2006. Effigies of Ravana are burned on Vijayadashami, in India at many places. It is said that it is symbolisation of triumph over evil ( i.e. Ravana ) by Rama. Ravanahatha The ancient instrument known as a Ravanahatha is said to have belonged to a sovereign in present - day India around 5000 BC. It replicates the ancient instrument called Ravan Hatta which is found even today in Rajasthan. Mythology credits this creation to Ravana. The Ravanahatha was played on one string which was 22 inches long encompassing the 3 Octaves. Whereas the Violin encompasses the 3 octaves on 4 strings with a finger board which is 5 1 / 4 inches long. This 5 1 / 4 when multiplied by 4 is 21 inches which was the size of the Ravan Hatta. Both are played with a bow. Influence on Indian culture and art Ravana with Hanuman in Tholu Bommalata, the shadow puppet tradition of Andhra Pradesh, India A Ramleela actor wears the traditional attire of Ravana. One of the most important literary works of ancient India, the Ramayana has had a profound impact on art and culture in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. Texts attributed to Ravana Astronomy There is also texts attributed to Ravana. The Ravan Samhita is an astrological text or scripture narrated by Shiva and written by Ravana. Medicine The Ravanakumara Tantra is a part of the tantric rituals of the Kriyakalagunottara Tantra, and it is an 11th century Sanskrit work for the treatment of children 's diseases. It is also known as the Ravanaproktabalacikitsasutra ( `` Sutra Spoken by Ravana on the Curing of Children 's Diseases. '' ) Ravana appears as the composer of the 16th century C.E. text, Arka Prakasa, which is a dialogue between the king of Lanka and his wife Mandodhari about which herbs and chemicals can be used in a mixture to cure illnesses, such as syphilis Ravana is also the composer of the 16th century C.E. scriptures Nadi Pariksa and Nadi Vijnana on knowledge about the veins. Linguistics Ravana is the composer of the Ravanabhet, a Vedic text on phonetics of the Sanskrit language. Ravana is also the composer of the Ravaniya, also known as Ravanabaith, text on phonetics of the Telugu language. `` Ravana Lankesvara '' is to whom the Prakrta - Kamadhenu grammatical text on the Prakrit language is attributed. Spirituality There is also the Samkhya scripture known as the Ravana - bhasya, which is also known as Ravanabhasya, is believed to be written by Ravana. The writer of the Vaisesika scripture Katandi ( commentary on the Vaisesika Sutra ) is attributed to have been written by Ravana. Ravana is also the name used by a commentator of the Shaiva Rudrapurascharana. `` Ravanacharya '' is the scholar who wrote the Padaratna, a commentary on the Rig Veda. Ravana is the composer of the Shavite scripture, Shiva Tandava Stotram. Alternate Ramayanas Buddhist versions Rama is always the protagonist. In Rin - spuns - pa Tibetan Ramayana, it is prophesised that `` Ramana '' will return as the Buddha incarnation of Vishnu in the Kali Yuga. The Khamti Ramayana as well describes Rama as a Bodhisattva incarnated to punish demon Ravana. In the Laotian Buddhist text, Phra Lak Phra Lam, Rama is a Bodhisattva and the embodiment of virtues, while Ravana is a Brahmin ( `` mahabrahma '' ) son of Virulaha but is highly materialistic. In the Cambodian Buddhist text, Preah Ream, Buddha is an incarnation of Rama and Ravana is a rakshasa. In the Thai Buddhist text, Ramakien, Ravana is a rakshasa. In the Lankavatara Sutra, Gautama Buddha pays a visit to Ravana in the demon 's layer in Lanka, and in the scripture he is addressed as a `` Rakshasas. '' He is normally identified as a demon. In the Karandavyuha Sutra, god Yama asks if the visitor in hell ( Avalokitesvara ) that he has n't seen yet is a god or a demon, and asks whether he is Vishnu, Mahesvara, or the `` rakshasa '' ( `` demon '' ) Ravana. Jain version Further information : Salakapurusa Jain accounts vary from the traditional Hindu accounts of Ramayana. The incidents are placed at the time of the 20th Tirthankara, Munisuvrata. According to Jain version, both Rama as well as Ravana were devout Jains. Ravana was a Vidyadhara King having magical powers. Also, as per the Jain accounts, Ravana was killed by Lakshmana and not Rama in the end. See also Raksasa Asura Daitya Danava ( Hinduism ) References Notes Jump up ^ Identified by many with modern - day Sri Lanka Citations Jump up ^ `` Ravana ''. Random House Webster 's Unabridged Dictionary. Jump up ^ Mani, Vettam ( 1975 ). Puranic Encyclopaedia : A Comprehensive Dictionary With Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature. Delhi : Motilal Banarsidass. p. 354. ISBN 0 - 8426 - 0822 - 2. Jump up ^ Merriam - Webster 's Encyclopedia of World Religions. Merriam - Webster. 1999. p. 909. ISBN 9780877790440. Jump up ^ `` Only the elderly come to mourn Ravana in ' birthplace ' Bisrakh ''. The Indian Express. 2014 - 10 - 04. Retrieved 2016 - 06 - 14. Jump up ^ `` Ravana in Noida : A book on Greater Noida ''. http://www.hindustantimes.com/. 2014 - 03 - 15. Retrieved 2016 - 06 - 14. External link in website = ( help ) Jump up ^ `` Bisrakh seeks funds for Ravan temple - Times of India ''. The Times of India. Retrieved 2016 - 06 - 14. ^ Jump up to : Aiyangar Narayan ( 1909 ) `` Essays On Indo - Aryan Mythology - Vol. '', p. 413 ^ Jump up to : MW Sanskrit Digital Dictionary p. 1026 Jump up ^ The Ramayana Of Valmiki ( Vol. 2 ) Ayodhyakanda An Epic Of Ancient India Jump up ^ Hopkins, Edward Washburn ( 1915 ). Epic mythology. Strassburg K.J. Trübner. p. 142. Jump up ^ Ramayana By William Buck, Barend A. van Nooten, Shirley Triest Jump up ^ ( Meaning of `` roravana '' at Sanskrit Dictionary http://www.spokensanskrit.de/index.php?tinput=roravaNa&script=&direction=SE&link=yes ) Jump up ^ https://books.google.no/books?id=lr9pFQPwhXYC&pg=PA128&lpg=PA128&dq=iraivan+ravana&source=bl&ots=tEWbTN0PMg&sig=6lSX4qvP4i3EosgJODelGE96XLo&hl=no&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjMrp-qwtDMAhUzS5oKHVo2DnMQ6AEIJTAB#v=onepage&q=iraivan%20ravana&f=false Jump up ^ `` Early Tamils of Ilangai ''. Scribd. Retrieved 2016 - 04 - 04. Jump up ^ Ramayana By Valmiki ; Ramcharitmas by Tulsidasa ( Lanka Kanda Vibhishana & Rama Samvaad ) Jump up ^ IBNLive. `` CNN - IBN News : Breaking News India, Latest News, Current Headlines World - IBNLive ''. IBNLive.com. Jump up ^ `` History Hindus ''. Archived from the original on 2011 - 08 - 09. Jump up ^ Gopal, Madan ( 1990 ). K.S. Gautam, ed. India through the ages. Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. p. 81. Jump up ^ Genesis and Evolution of the Rāma Kathā in Indian Art, Thought, Literature, and Culture : From the Earliest Period to the Modern Times, Volume 2 By Shanti Lal Nagar Jump up ^ Māni Mādhava Chākyār ( 1996 ). Nātyakalpadrumam. Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi. p. 6 Jump up ^ Sanskrit Dictionary Jump up ^ Ramayana Research. ( 2008 ). A Short History OF Heladiva. Available : http://ramayanaresearch.com/heladiva.html. Last accessed 14 March 2010. Jump up ^ P. 457 Early Interactions Between South and Southeast Asia : Reflections on Cross-Cultural Exchange. edited by Pierre - Yves Manguin, A. Mani, Geoff Wade Jump up ^ Lanka Library Jump up ^ P. 411 Buddhism in Practice : ( Abridged Edition ) By Donald S. Lopez Jr. Jump up ^ P. 38 Vegetarianism and Animal Ethics in Contemporary Buddhism By James Stewart Jump up ^ Ravana has his temples, too. The Sunday Tribune -- Spectrum. 21 October 2007. Jump up ^ Vachaspati. S, Ravana Brahma ( in English ), 2005, Rudrakavi Sahitya Peetham, Gandhi Nagar, Tenali, India. Jump up ^ Kamalesh Kumar Dave, Dashanan ( in Hindi ), 2008, Akshaya Jyotish Anusandan Kendra, Quila Road, Jodhpur, India. Jump up ^ P. 20 Literature and Social Life in Mediaeval Orissa By Krishna Charan Sahoo Jump up ^ People of India : A - G., Volume 4. Oxford Univ. Press. p. 3061. Jump up ^ `` kaumarah ravanah koksah krsnah '' from P. 183 The Early Brahmanical System of Gotra and Pravara By Puruṣottama Paṇḍita Jump up ^ `` Mathura lawyer seeks ban on burning of Ravana effigies '' Jump up ^ `` A Dussehra without burning Ravana : This Brahmin community in Agra wants an end to practice '' Jump up ^ Indian Culture : Journal of the Indian Research Institute, Volume 15 By I.B. Corporation Jump up ^ `` I am of the Kashyapa gotra am deeply versed in the Vedas and all their branches. I have studied the dharmashastra of Manu, yoga of Maheshwara, political treatise of Brihaspati, logic of Medhatithi, and rules for after - death rituals laid down by Prachetas. '' Jump up ^ Jump up ^ P. 77 Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency..., Volume 15, Part 2 ^ Jump up to : Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency Volume 15, Part 2 : Kanara. Government Central Press. 1883. Jump up ^ `` Ranjan Violin ''. tripod.com. Jump up ^ The Alchemical Body : Siddha Traditions in Medieval India By David Gordon White Jump up ^ P. 21 The Quarterly Review of Historical Studies, Volumes 41 - 43 By Institute of Historical Studies Jump up ^ Vyas, Lallan Prasad. Prachi Darshan. p. 98. Jump up ^ Sharma, S.R. ( 1940 ), Jainism and Karnataka Culture, Dharwar : Karnatak Historical Research Society, p. 76 Jump up ^ Dalal, Roshen ( 2010 ), Hinduism : An Alphabetical Guide, India : Penguin Books, p. 338 Jump up ^ Ramanujan, A.K. ( 1991 ), `` Three hundred Rāmāyaṇas : Five examples and Three thoughts on Translation '', in Paula Richman, Many Rāmāyaṇas : The Diversity of a Narrative Tradition in South Asia, University of California Press, p. 35, ISBN 978 - 0 - 520 - 07589 - 4 Bibliography Doniger, Wendy ( 1993 ), Purana Perennis : Reciprocity and Transformation in Hindu and Jaina Texts, SUNY Press Udayakumar, S.P. ( 2005 ). `` Presenting the Past : Anxious History and Ancient Future in Hindutva India ''. Greenwood Publishing Group External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ravana. Rawana the Historical King of Heladiwa Ramayana Research Preceded by Kubera Emperor of Lanka Succeeded by Vibhisana Ramayana by Valmiki Ikshvaku dynasty Dasharatha Kausalya Sumitra Kaikeyi Shanta Rama Bharata Lakshmana Shatrughna Sita Urmila Mandavi Shrutakirti Lava Kusha ( genealogy ) Vanara Hanuman Sugriva Vali Tara Rumā Angada Nala Nila Kesari Anjana Makardhwaja Rakshasa Ravana Vibhishana Kumbhakarna Indrajit Akshayakumara Atikaya Kabandha Khara Dushan Mandodari Maricha Mayasura Narantaka - Devantaka Prahasta Sarama Subahu Sulochana Sumali Surpanakha Tataka Trijata Trishira Viradha Sages Agastya Ahalya Arundhati Bharadwaja Kambhoja Parashurama Vasistha Vishvamitra Rishyasringa Other characters and concepts Lakshmana rekha Jambavan Janaka Kushadhwaja Jatayu Manthara Ashwapati Maya Sita Sampati Shabari Shravan Vedavati Places Ayodhya Mithila Dandakaranya Kishkindha Lanka Seven Books ( Kandas ) Bala Ayodhya Aranya Kishkindha Sundara Yuddha Uttara Versions, adaptations, and inspired works Adbhuta Ramayana Adhyathmaramayanam Adhyatma Ramayana Ananda Ramayana Bhaṭṭikāvya Hikayat Seri Rama Kakawin Ramayana Kamba Ramayanam Krittivasi Ramayan Maharadia Lawana Phra Lak Phra Ram Ramlila Raghunatha Ramayana Ramakien Ramcharitmanas Reamker Saptakanda Ramayana Sri Ramayana Darshanam Vilanka Ramayana Yama Zatdaw Film Lanka Dahan ( 1917 ) Rama Paduka Pattabhishekam ( 1932 ) Sita Kalyanam ( 1934 ) Sathi Ahalya ( 1937 ) Ram Rajya ( 1943 ) Seeta Rama Jananam ( 1944 ) Paduka Pattabhishekam ( 1945 ) Ram Janma ( 1951 ) Ramayan ( 1954 ) Sampoorna Ramayanam ( 1958 ) Sampoorna Ramayana ( 1961 ) Seetharama Kalyanam ( 1961 ) Lava Kusa ( 1963 ) Ram Rajya ( 1967 ) Veeranjaneya ( 1968 ) Sampoorna Ramayana ( 1971 ) Mutyala Muggu ( 1975 ) Sri Ramanjaneya Yuddham ( 1975 ) Bajrangbali ( 1976 ) Dasavatharam ( 1976 ) Kanchana Sita ( 1977 ) Seetha Rama Vanavasam ( 1977 ) Sri Rama Pattabhishekam ( 1978 ) Raavan ( 1984 ) Ramayana : The Legend of Prince Rama ( 1992 ) Ramayanam ( 1996 ) Lav Kush ( 1997 ) Hanuman ( 2005 ) Sita Sings the Blues ( 2008 ) Ramayana : The Epic ( 2010 ) Raavan ( 2010 ) Raavanan ( 2010 ) Lava Kusa : The Warrior Twins ( 2011 ) Sri Rama Rajyam ( 2011 ) Shri Hanuman Chalisa ( 2013 ) Television Ramayan ( 1986 ) Ramayan ( 2008 ) Siya Ke Ram ( 2015 ) Hinduism portal Indian religions portal India portal Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ravana&oldid=854306110 '' Categories : Ramayana Rakshasa in the Ramayana Salakapurusa Brahmins Hindu sages Hindu monarchs Hindu philosophers Hidden categories : CS1 errors : external links Articles needing additional references from April 2015 All articles needing additional references Use Indian English from July 2013 All Wikipedia articles written in Indian English Use dmy dates from July 2013 Pages using infobox deity with unknown parameters Articles having different image on Wikidata and Wikipedia All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from May 2016 Wikipedia articles needing page number citations from March 2016 Articles with unsourced statements from June 2016 All articles with links needing disambiguation Articles with links needing disambiguation from May 2018 Articles with inconsistent citation formats Talk Contents About Wikipedia Wikiquote বাংলা བོད ་ ཡིག Deutsch Español فارسی Français ગુજરાતી गोंयची कोंकणी / Gõychi Konknni हिन्दी Bahasa Indonesia Italiano Basa Jawa ಕನ್ನಡ Lietuvių मैथिली മലയാളം मराठी မြန်မာဘာသာ Nederlands नेपाली नेपाल भाषा 日本 語 Norsk Norsk nynorsk ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ Polski Português Română Русский संस्कृतम् Scots සිංහල Simple English Basa Sunda Svenska தமிழ் తెలుగు ไทย Українська اردو 中文 34 more Edit links This page was last edited on 10 August 2018, at 10 : 59 ( UTC ). 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Question: what is the name of ravana's father
Answer: Vishrava