India celebrates

Devotees perform ritual dances before an idol of Hindu goddess Durga, who symbolizes power and triumph of good over evil, on the banks of the River Yamuna in New Delhi, India, Monday, October 2, 2006. The immersion marks the end of five day Durga puja or prayer festival.

Participants are dressed as the army of the Hindu monkey god Hanuman as a Ramlila procession passes through a street of New Delhi, India, Monday, Oct. 2, 2006. Ramlila is a theatrical representation of a myth on the life of Hindu God Ram, enacted in public places during the festival of Dussehra. On top right is a participant dressed as actor Charlie Chaplin.

Mahouts lead decorated elephants as they walk past the Mysore Palace as part of the procession commemorating the last day of Dussera celebrations in Mysore, 145 kilometers (91 miles) south west of Bangalore, India, Monday, October 2, 2006. According to Hindu mythology the festival celebrates the slaying of the demon Mahishasura by the Goddess Chamundeeswari or Durga and the triumph of good over evil.

Mahouts lead decorated elephants as they march through the streets on the last day of Dussera celebrations in Mysore, 145 kilometers (91 miles) south west of Bangalore, India, Monday, October 2, 2006. According to Hindu mythology the festival celebrates the slaying of the demon Mahishasura by the Goddess Chamundeeswari or Durga and the triumph of good over evil.

An idol of Hindu goddess Chamundeeswari, placed in a gold howdah is carried on an elephant through the streets on the last day of Dussera celebrations in Mysore, 145 kilometers (91 miles) south west of Bangalore, India, Monday, October 2, 2006. According to Hindu mythology the festival celebrates the slaying of the demon Mahishasura by the Goddess Chamundeeswari or Durga and the triumph of good over evil.

An idol of Hindu goddess Chamundeeswari, placed in a gold howdah, is carried on an elephant through the streets on the last day of Dussera celebrations in Mysore, 145 kilometers (91 miles) south west of Bangalore, India, Monday, October 2, 2006. According to Hindu mythology the festival celebrates the slaying of the demon Mahishasura by the Goddess Chamundeeswari or Durga and the triumph of good over evil.

A Hindu woman checks another woman's nose ring as they put vermilion on each other's face as part of a ritual at a Durga Puja venue in Calcutta, India, Monday, October 2, 2006. Hindu festival Durga Puja will end Monday with immersion of idols in the rivers.

Hindu women put vermilion on each other's face as a ritual before an idol of goddess Durga in Gauhati, India, Monday, October 2, 2006. Five-day Hindu festival Durga Puja will end with the immersion of idols in the rivers Monday.

Married Hindu women put vermilion on each other's face as a ritual before an idol of goddess Durga in Calcutta, India, Monday, October 2, 2006. Five-day Hindu festival Durga Puja will end with the immersion of idols at the river Ganges Monday.