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Who does not know about Dussehra? This is a very important festival for all Hindus. But do you know why Dussehra is celebrated? The festival of Dussehra is also called Vijaya Dashami. Because on this day good triumphs over evil. The festival of Dussehra is celebrated in a ritualistic manner. It is greatly influenced by the Ramayana in which Lord Rama and the demon Ravana have been explained.
If you have read it, then you must have known that Lord Rama killed Ravana in this and also saved Mother Sita from his clutches. It is not a one-day festival, but it is celebrated for a full 10 days. Whereas the last day (tenth day) is called Dussehra.
This is the day when the true deeds were victorious over the unreal ones. At the same time, it teaches us that those who walk on the right path always win. Many goddesses are worshipped during these ten days. Wherein Gharba is played in these nine nights and it is called Navratri. Each day a goddess of these nine days is worshipped. You will get to read about many such things here in this article. Therefore, for complete information, read this article on why Dussehra is celebrated completely. Then let’s start the main festival of India Dussehra.
What is Dussehra?
According to the Hindu calendar, the Dussehra festival is celebrated in the month of Ashwin and it falls on the tenth day. This festival is celebrated after the conclusion of the nine-day Navratri.
The festival of Dussehra is also known as Vijayadashami and is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm by Hindu people all over India. It is one of the most important religious festivals of India. According to historical beliefs and the most famous Hindu scripture, the Ramayana, it is mentioned that Lord Rama performed a Chandi-puja (holy prayer) to seek the blessings of Goddess Durga Mata to kill the mighty demon, Ravana.
The ten-headed demon king of Sri Lanka kidnapped Lord Rama’s wife, Sita, to avenge his sister Suparnakha. Since then, the day Lord Rama killed Ravana, it was celebrated as the Dussehra festival.
| Name | Dussehra |
| other names | Vijayadashami, Bijoya, Ayudha Puja |
| start | from the Ramayana period |
| date | Ashwin Dashami |
| Objective | religious fidelity, celebration, entertainment |
| follower | Hindu, Indian |
History of dussehra
There are many mythological stories behind this festival. In some parts of India, this day signifies the day on which Goddess Durga killed the demon Mahishasura. That is why all the nine incarnations of Goddess Durga are worshipped on Navratri. It is also said that Goddess Durga drowns in water with her devotees indicating the departure of Goddess Durga from the material world after maintaining Dharma.
In South India, the Dussehra festival is celebrated mainly in Mysore, Karnataka as the day when Chamundeshwari, another incarnation of Goddess Durga, killed the demon Mahishasura. Do you know that the whole city is lit up with colourful lights and is beautifully decorated? In fact, parades of elephants carrying the procession of Goddess Chamundeshwari were also held all over the city.
Why celebrate Dussehra?
In North India, the Dussehra festival is celebrated as the day when Lord Rama killed the demon king Ravana in Lanka. According to Hindu mythology, it is said that Ravana kidnapped Lord Rama’s wife Sita.
Ravana has an important role in Ramayana. Ravana had a sister known as Shurpanakha. She fell in love with brothers Ram and Lakshmana and wanted to marry one of them. Lakshmana refused to marry her and Rama could not as he was already married to Sita.
Shurpanakha threatens to kill Sita so that she can marry Rama. Angered by this, Lakshmana cut off Shurpanakha’s nose and ears. Then Ravana kidnapped Sita to avenge his sister’s injuries. Rama and Lakshmana later fought to save Sita. Lord Hanuman and a huge army of monkeys helped him and brought victory.
Ravana also got a boon from Lord Brahma to be imperishable. Lord Rama is believed to be the seventh reincarnation of Lord Vishnu and in battle; Lord Rama managed to shoot an arrow in the stomach of Ravana and killed him. That is why the Dussehra festival is celebrated as the victory of good over evil.
What is the significance of Dussehra?
Dussehra is the festival of victory of good over evil. This festival shows that someday or the other wrong deed comes in front of everyone. No matter what evil forces push you, truth and righteousness always win. Also, Dussehra is considered as a day for starting new businesses or new investments.
On the same day or occasion, Arjuna destroyed the entire Kuru dynasty which included warriors like Bhishma, Drona, Ashwatthama and Karna. In all the stories behind the festival, there is the victory of good (Dharma) over evil (Dharma).
How is Dussehra celebrated?
The huge and colourful effigies of Ravana and his son Meghnad and brother Kumbhakarna are set on fire in different parts of North India.
The whole atmosphere becomes filled with the sound of firecrackers. People and children used to watch the fair with Ram-Leela all night long. In Ram Leela, various important events of Lord Rama’s life are performed by real people. Thousands of men, women and children from nearby areas gather at Ramlila Maidan to enjoy the show.
There are different customs and traditions of celebrating the Dussehra festival in different regions of the country. Somewhere it is celebrated for the whole. For ten days the priests of the temple recite mantras and stories from Ramayana in front of a large crowd of devotees. Somewhere a big fair of Ram Leela is organized for several days or a month.
At the end of Durga Puja, idols of Goddess Durga are immersed in water bodies. In Himachal Pradesh, the Vijayadashami festival in Kullu has been accorded the status of an international festival by the state government.
So, now you must have known why the Dussehra festival is celebrated, what is the history behind it and how it is celebrated.
Why is Dussehra called Vijayadashami?
Dussehra is called Vijayadashami because it is the day when Lord Rama conquered the demon king Ravana.
The word “Vijayadashmi” means “the day of victory”.
How many days after Dussehra does Diwali come?
There are several Indian holiday dates that are determined by the Hindu calendar, which marks the end of one year and the beginning of another. The days of the festival are determined by the lunar cycle, which is why they shift every year.
Hence Diwali comes 10 days after Dussehra.
What did you learn today?
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