There are two important stories behind
celebration of Dussehra festival in Indian. One story is associated with Lord
Ram and another is associated with Goddess Durga. The festival of Dussehra signifies
the victory of good over evil. Read on to know more about the significance and
celebration of Dussehra festival.
India is known as a land of festivals and
celebrations. The festival continues for ten days and Dussehra is the tenth day. Many
of the Hindu festivals are related to great epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata
and Dussehra is one of the main ones. In fact it is believed that the war
between Ram and Ravana went on during these 10 days and Ravana was killed by
the hands of Ram on the tenth day.
Dussehra is also called Vijaya Dashami and is
celebrated as victory of Goddess Durga over
the demon Mahisasura. The festival of Dussehra falls in the month of September
or October of the English calendar. In fact, the main message that it gives is
victory of good over the evil and success of truth over lies.
What’s the significance of Dussehra festival?
The festival of Dussehra is unique in its
perception and significance. According to the great Hindu epic Ramayana, Lord
Ram killed Ravana on the tenth day that is Dussehra. It is called as triumph of
virtue over sin or immorality. Ravana is said to have abducted Ram’s wife, Sita
and was also known as a dictating ruler. The end of Ravana meant end of bad and
evil spirit as he was a demon by birth too.
Throughout Navratri, Ramleela is organised in
many parts of the country and people enjoy the enactment of the play based
on Ramayana.
The festival of Dussehra is also known as Durga
Pooja and in eastern part of India people worship Goddess Durga all the nine
days and celebrate Dussehra as it was on that day that the demon Mahisasura was
killed by the Goddess.
Dussehra celebrations in different parts of
India
Dussehra Celebration in North India - In North India,
usually people celebrate Dussehra by burning the effigy of Ravana, Kumbhakarna
and Meghnath and it is the commencement of the play based on the epic,
Ramayana. It is the final day and there is usually a fete organised and enjoyed
by people. A chariot carrying Ram, Sita and Lakshaman passes through the crowd
and the person enacting Ram aims an arrow to burn the effigies one by one.
Dussehra Celebration in Gujarat - In Gujarat, men
and women gather and dance every night of the Navratri and even lot of competitions and shows are organised
on this occasion. The songs are usually devotional ones and the dance form is called Garba. Women
in their best of attires surround beautifully decorated earthen pots and dance
till late night. In many places Garba starts late at night and continue till
dawn.
Dussehra Celebration in South India - In South India,
the days of Navratri are equally divided to worship three Goddesses - Lakshmi,
Goddess of wealth and prosperity; Saraswati, Goddess of knowledge and learning
and Durga, Goddess of power and strength. They decorate their houses and steps
with lamps and flowers in the evenings. Dussehra festival of Mysore is well
known and is celebrated in its own style with pomp and pageantry.
There are many other stories associated with
the festival of Dussehra. No matter what the stories are, festivals in India
convey the message of benevolence, peace and love. If the people kept in mind
the beautiful and meaningful messages throughout the year, it would have been
peace and harmony all around.
However, in India festivals are celebrated by
all Indians, regardless of being a Hindu or belonging to any other religion.
There is a spirit of brotherhood seen during festival seasons.
Lazoi team wishes you a very Happy Dussehra
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