NEW DELHI: Vijayadashmi was celebrated with traditional fervor here amid burning of the effigy of Ravana and splendid presentation of Ramlila depicting the victory of evil over good.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, her daughter Priyanka and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit attended the grand functions at Ramlila ground and Subhas Maidan. Both areas had colorful decorations and lighting arrangements.

The effigies of Kumbhakaran and Meghanada were also burnt on the occasion. Different fire crackers were burst at Ramlila ground where Vijayadashmi is being celebrated for the last 125 years.

A special troupe from Moradabad presented Ramlila in the form of a dance drama that drew over 5,000 people who raised the slogan of 'Shree Ramchandra ki Jai'. Singh and Gandhi tried their hand on bows and arrows presented to them by party workers.

They were also presented various mementos. A special welcome gate was made for Gandhi, who waved her hands to greet the public. DPCC president J P Agarwal described Gandhi as 'Hanuman', saying she helped the organizers of Ramlila to continue the tradition.

"You fought like Hanuman of Lord Ram. As a result the over century-old tradition could continue," he said. At Subash Maidan, giant effigies of Ravana, his son Meghnada and brother Kumbhkaran went up in a fiery blaze to the sound of bursting crackers.

Apart from Singh and Gandhi, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Union Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal attended the Dussehra celebrations near Red Fort. The Vice President greeted the public on the occasion and said the festival reminds of the triumph of good over evil.

Attired in their festive best, thousands witnessed the spectacular fireworks after the towering effigies came crashing on the ground.