Millions of Indians took out colourful processions and set up effigies as they celebrated one of Hinduism's most popular festivals which marks the victory of good over evil.
In northern India, thousands of massive statues of the 10-headed demon king Ravana, his son Meghnath and his brother Kumbhkarna were waiting in parks and other open spaces ready to be torched with great fanfare in the evening on Sunday.
The holiday, known as Dussehra, marks the legend of the Hindu god Ram whose wife Sita was kidnapped by the demon king in a forest.
Ram and his brother Laxman won back Sita after a 10-day battle during which they killed Ravana, Meghnath and Kumbhkarna.
The epic fight is re-enacted across northern India at sundown with actors dressed as Ram shooting flaming arrows at the effigies, which are stuffed with crackers and other explosives, burning up the evil trio.
Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee was expected to visit one of the largest Dussehra celebrations in New Delhi before leaving on a week-long visit to Indonesia and Thailand.
In eastern India, Hindus mark the triumph of good over evil with the Durga Puja festival, which celebrates the goddess Durga's slaying of a demon.
The festival which began nine days ago culminates Sunday evening when intricate idols of the 10-armed goddess are carried for immersion to rivers and ponds.
While the festivals around India draw millions, environmentalists have been increasingly pushing for more eco-friendly ways of celebration.
Ashok Kumar, head of the government-affiliated National Green Corps' branch in the eastern state of Bihar, noted that most idols were not bio-degradable, polluting the water long after the revelry is over.
In southern India, Hindus offer special prayers to a trio of Hindu goddesses including Durga, who is known locally as Shakti. The other deities are Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and Saraswati, the deity of learning and the arts.
In the southern city of Mysore, the holiday is marked with a colourful street procession led by caparisoned elephants, a great draw for tourists from India and abroad.