Dussehra is a traditional festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil as Lord Ram killed Ravan on this day
It is also believed that spotting the Indian roller bird or as popularly known the Neelkanth bird is highly auspicious during Dussehra
According to legends, Lord Ram came across a Neelkanth bird before he begun his journey towards Lanka to kill Ravan and it thereby became a source of luck
Here are some lesser known facts about the Neelkanth or Indian roller bird-
1. It is a bulky and broad-winged bird with a large head and short neck and legs
2. This bird whose scientific name is Coracias benghalensis is widely known for its vibrant blue plumage
3. Neelkanth has various shades of blue markings mostly on its wings, tail and belly
4. It has longitudinal white streaks on the throat and breast, pink throat and face and a darker olive back
5. It prefers to make its habitat in open grassland and scrub forest habitatsand is often found perched on roadside trees and wires
6. The Indian Roller is the state bird of Karnataka, Odisha and Telangana