It is said that Kubera was overthrown by his demon stepbrother Ravana, the powerful Emperor who built a mythical flying machine named Dandu Monara.

The Ramayana consists of 24, 000 verses in seven books () and 500 cantos (), and tells the story of Rama ( an avatar of the Hindu preserver-God Vishnu ), whose wife Sita is abducted by the king of Sri Lanka, Ravana.

It is believed to have originated among the Hela civilisation of Sri Lanka in the time of King Ravana. This string instrument has been recognised as one of the oldest string instrument in the world history.

In North India, the tenth day, signifying Rama's victory in his battle against the demon Ravana, is celebrated as Dussehra-gigantic straw effigies of Ravana are burnt in designated open spaces ( e. g. Delhi's Ram Lila grounds ), watched by thousands of families and little children.

The lake Rakshastaal, a salt water formation in Tibet, high up in Himalayas located right next to fresh-water lake Manasarovar is considered to be the place of severe penance tapasya by Ravana.

Ravana is believed to be related to Lavanasura, also regarded as a Rakshasa, of Madhupura ( Mathura ) in the region of the Surasenas, who was conquered & killed by Shatrughna, youngest brother of Rama.

It is very clear from the references in the Ramayana that Ravana was no commoner among the Humans or Asuras, a great chanter of the Sama Veda.

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 Lord Shiva and is said to have composed the hymn known as Shiva Tandava Stotra.

At the time of the Ramayana, set several hundred 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.

In Jain version of Ramayana, Ravana is one of the Trisastisalaka Purusa ( 63 illustrious persons ) who appear in every time cycle.

In the Jain epic of Ramayana, it is Lakshmana who ultimately kills Ravana and not Rama as told in the Hindu version.

There are several temples where Ravana is worshipped.

Ravana is considered most revered devotee of Lord Shiva.

There is a huge Shivalinga in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, supposedly installed by Ravana himself, with a statue of Ravana near by.

The Ravana temple is opened once in a year, on Dashehra Day, to perform puja for the welfare of Ravana.

Ravana is said to have married Princess Mandodari at a place about 32 kilometers away from Jodhpur, which is now called Mandor.

There is a mandap ( altar or pavilion ) where Ravana is said to have married Mandodari, and which the local people call Ravan Ki Chanwari.

There is a theory proposed by Sinhalese nationalists that points to the southern part of Sri Lanka as the capital of Ravana, hence the name Ruhuna came to existence.

The Mahabharata regards Vishrava as the brother of Kubera, so Kubera is described as the uncle of Ravana and his siblings.

The Rakshasas also serve Kubera, however, some cannibalistic Rakshasas are described to have sided with Ravana in the battle against Kubera.

During the ten days of Vijayadashami, Deities of Ravana, his brother Kumbhakarna and son Meghanad are erected and burnt by enthusiastic youths at sunset. Traditionally a bonfire on the day of Holi, marks the symbolic annihilation of Holika the demoness as described above.

In the Ramayana, the pushpaka (" flowery ") vimana of Ravana is described as follows:

Mandodari is frustrated seeing the evil deeds of Ravana, so she decides to commit suicide by drinking the contents of the blood-pot, which is described to be more poisonous than poison.

The name ' Ravana ' obtains from the root ' ru ' ' raavayati iti raavanah ' ' one who makes god love by his compassion actions.

When Jatayu was old, he witnessed the beautiful Sita, wife of the god Rama, being kidnapped by Ravana.

Pushpaka was originally made by Vishwakarma for Brahma the Hindu god of creation, later Brahma gifted it to Kubera, the God of wealth, but was later stolen, along with Lanka, by his half-brother, the demon king Ravana.

Victory of god Rama over Ravana

Ravanahatha or Ravana's hand is mentioned in the ancient Indian epic ' Ramayana '. The soulful music emanating from the Ravanahatha is believed to have moved Hindu god Shiva, of whom Ravana was an ardent devotee.

Legend has it that Hindu god, Ram paused at that spot on his way from Ayodhya to Lanka in pursuit of the demon king, Ravana who had kidnapped his wife, Sita.

Ravana kidnaps Sita, the wife of Rama, the exiled prince of Ayodhya, who is an incarnation of the god Vishnu.

A famous tympanum from Banteay Srei depicts Shiva sitting on Mount Kailasa with his consort, while the demon king Ravana shakes the mountain from below.

After worshipping a Shiva Linga 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.

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.

To show Nandi his love for Shiva, Ravana attempted to uproot and move the mountain on a whim.

After Ravana had been given the Celestial juice of Immortality by Brahma, he went on to please Shiva.

The images of Ravana are seen associated with lord Shiva at some places.

Ravana wanted to attain immortality by penance dedicated to the Atmalinga ( the divine Lingam of Shiva procures invincibility and immortality to the Hindu Gods ).

Lord Shiva appeared before Ravana and asked him what he wanted.

As a result of this plot, Ravana asks for Goddess Parvathi, and Lord Shiva offers him.

Ravana knowing that he was tricked, meditates to please Lord Shiva.

A bas-relief at Banteay Srei in Cambodia depicts Ravana shaking Mount Kailasa, the residence of Shiva | Siva.

But Ravana has worshipped Lord Shiva.

Vishnu also killed other asuras like Hiranyakasipu and Ravana who tried to become immortal by obtaining boons from Shiva.

Other carvings related to the legend of Shiva are also seen in the main hall at strategic locations in exclusive cubicles ; these include Kalyanasundaramurti, depicting Shiva ’ s marriage to the goddess Parvati, Andhakasuravadamurti or Andhakasuramardana, the slaying of the demon Andhaka by Shiva, Shiva-Parvati on Mount Kailash ( the abode of Shiva ), and Ravananugraha, depicting the demon-king Ravana shaking Kailash.

Upset, Ravana shook it vigorously and as a result, Parvati got scared and hugged Shiva.

Enraged by Ravana's arrogance, Shiva stamped down on Ravana, who sang praises of Shiva to free him of his misery and turned into an ardent devotee of Shiva.