How to play
Apna Raavan Jalao is a free Dussehra game that runs in your web browser. You put your own evils on Raavan's ten heads, pick up Shri Ram's bow, and burn the effigy to ashes. There is nothing to download or install, and one round takes about two minutes. This guide walks you through every step and answers the questions people ask us most.
Before you start: laptop or phone?
The game works on both, but the experience is different. On a laptop or desktop with a reasonably modern graphics chip, you get the full 3D maidan: a tall effigy lit by torches, a crowd watching from the ground, a dusk sky and fireworks you can walk around. On phones, tablets and older computers, the game switches on its own to a lighter 2D version that keeps the same story and the same burn, but runs smoothly on any device. You do not need to choose; the site picks the right version for you.
For the best experience, open the site in an up-to-date Chrome, Edge, Safari or Firefox, and turn your sound on. The arrow, the bursting heads and the fireworks all have their own sound effects.
Step 1: Pick your evils
Raavan had ten heads, so you can name up to ten evils. On the first screen you will see a list of common ones, such as Laziness, Overthinking, Doomscrolling, Anger, Ego and Jealousy. Tap any of them to put it on a head, and tap again to take it off. If you are in a hurry, Fill 10 at random fills the empty heads for you.
You can also write your own evil in the box, up to 22 characters, and tap Add. Think of the habit you want to leave behind this year: waking up late, skipping the gym, saying yes to everything. There is one rule: write only evils. Names of real people, leaders, religions or castes are not allowed, and the game will politely refuse them.
Under Raavan's heads you can see the order. Drag the handle next to an evil to move it. The evil in first place sits on the big centre head and burns last, so save your biggest one for the end.
Step 2: Pick up the bow
When you are happy with your list, tap Pick up the bow. The panel slides away and you are standing in front of the effigy with Shri Ram's bow. Out of respect for the tradition, Shri Ram himself is never shown; you only hold his bow.
Step 3: Aim and release
How you shoot depends on the version you are playing.
- 3D version (laptop): move the mouse to aim, hold the click to draw the bow, and let go to shoot. You can also drag to move around Raavan and scroll to zoom in or out before you take your shot.
- 2D version (phone): touch the screen, pull back like a real bowstring, adjust the angle, and release. A longer pull means a stronger, faster arrow.
Raavan stands far away, so your first arrow may fall short. That is part of the fun. If you miss twice, the Auto-aim button starts to glow; tap it and the bow will aim itself. On a keyboard you can also press Space or Enter.
Step 4: Watch them burn
Once your arrow hits, the fire spreads. Each of the outer heads bursts one by one, and the game calls out the evil on it, for example "Laziness, Swaha!". The last to go is the big centre head with your first evil. Then the whole effigy catches fire, collapses into the flames, and the sky fills with fireworks, just like the Raavan Dahan at a real Dussehra mela.
Step 5: Share your card and challenge friends
When the fire settles, you get a card that says how many Raavans you burnt. Before sharing, you can type your name to turn the link into a challenge; your friend will see that you dared them to burn their own Raavan. You can send it on WhatsApp, post it on X, copy the link, or save the card as an image. Tap Burn again to start a new round with a fresh list.
Settings and sound
Use the Sound button at the top to turn the audio on or off; the game remembers your choice. In the 3D version, the Settings menu lets you pick the graphics quality. Auto adjusts itself to keep the game smooth, while High, Medium and Low let you decide. If the 3D maidan feels slow on an older laptop, choose Medium or Low.
Frequently asked questions
Is it free?
Yes. The game is completely free to play, with no sign-up, no account and no in-game purchases.
Do I need to download an app?
No. It runs in your web browser on laptops, desktops, phones and tablets. Just open the site and play.
Why do I see a 2D version on my laptop?
The 3D maidan needs a graphics chip with WebGL 2 support. If your browser does not report one, or the window is very narrow, the game uses the 2D version so that it still runs smoothly. Updating your browser, or turning on hardware acceleration in its settings, usually brings the 3D version back.
Does anyone see the evils I write?
No. Your list is saved only in your own browser so it is still there next time. It is never sent to us. On the share card, your custom evils are not printed; the card only shows how many secret evils you added.
Why was my evil not accepted?
The game blocks names of real people, leaders, religions and castes, so that nobody's Raavan becomes a way to target someone else. Write the habit or feeling instead, such as "Anger" or "Procrastination".
Can I play it after Dussehra?
Of course. Vijayadashami comes once a year, but bad habits do not wait for the calendar. You can burn your Raavan whenever you want a fresh start.
I found a bug or have an idea. Where do I write?
We would love to hear from you. The email address is on the About page.
Curious about the festival itself? Read The story of Dussehra to learn why Raavan is burnt on Vijayadashami.
Burn your Raavan →