Dussehra also known as Vijayadashami is celebrated for 10 long days in India and Nepal. It is celebrated on the tenth day of the bright half of the Hindu month of Ashwina, according to Western calender generally it falls on the month of October and sometimes in the first week of November. It is an important festival of Hindus and celebrated all over India with great fanfare. In north India Dusehra is especially popular and celbrated for long 10 days. It is the festival of victory of good over evil, which marks the defeat of Ravana (king of monsters) by Lord Rama. On the Dussehra Ram killed the king of demon Ravana and rescued his wife from his kingdom Lanka. The war against Ravan was lasted for 10 days thats why Dussehra is celebrated for 10 days.
The biggest attractions of Dussehra is Ramlila – a personification of the life of Lord Rama. In most of north India during the first nine days a table is taken out each day in procession on a float depending on the importance of the episode in Rama’s life and crowd throng the streets to see the spectacle of the drama performance. Ramlila based on the epic Ramayana and very popular in north Indian villages and even cities. On the 10th day of Dussehra, the huge effigies of Ravan, his son and brother are set to fire. The character dress like Ram and his brother Laksham fire lighted arrows to the large effigies, which are filled up with firecrackers. With a deafening crackling sound the effigies burn to the end. The whole drama is very exciting and entice a huge crowd to see the Ramlila.
Religious Significance
Dussehra has a huge religious significance in Hindus life. There are lots of legends follows for Dussehra. There is a little known story about Dussehra in Bengali mythology. According to Bengali traditions, Ram revered mother Durga during the Navratra, worshiped all the day and set out the vijayadasami or the Dussehra day after worshiping the sami tree to conquer Ravan and attained victory after killing him. Hence in Hindus, the sami tree has become the symbol of victory in any projects. Even some part of India people exchange leaves with one another as a mark of wishing success in life. In places like Bengal people revere goddess Durga in that occasion. Worship of goddess Durga signifies the female supremacy in Indian mythology where gods who unable to destroy demon take shelter of goddess Durga and with her power she destroyed the demon.
Dussehra In Indian States
In North India – Ramlila is the main attraction in northern India where the festival is celebrated the victory of Ram over the demon king Ravan. The festival is celebrated the cities and villages with much gusto. Huge effigies of Ravan and his son and brother are set to fire. Enticing firework and huge fair and feasts are organized. It is also an important festival for Sikhs. Some places like Delhi and Punjab, Hindus and Sikhs celebrate the festival together.
In Himachal Pradesh - In Himachal Pradesh a week long fair at Kullu is a part of the Dusehhra celebrations. From the little temples in the hills, deities are brought out in procession to the Kullu ground with merriment, music and color. The presiding deity is Lord Raghunathji. The celebration begins at least 10 days in advance.
In Mysore – During the time of Dussehra Mysore city witness some huge processions when people from ride on decorated elephants captures attentions. The streets are also decorated and the whole city is like newly wed bride. The celebration started by the Maharaja of Mysore, ending with the grand procession on the Vijayadasmai day.
In South India - In South India people celebrate the day with the victory goddess Kali over the treacherous demon. In the midnight of the festival day, people gather at Kulasekaranpattinam near Thiruchendur to pay respect to goddess Kali. The festival marks with the special dancing sequence like honeybees and dresses like goddess Kali while holding fire pots in their hands. In several villages of Tamil Nadu, tiger dances, known as Pulikali is organized, which captivates the all section of society.
In Bengal- In Bengal Vijayadashmi marks with the famous Durga Puja. Its a 4-5 days event where large and incredible pandals are set to revere goddess Durga. The festival is famous even in abroad and people from all the world come to see the glory and richness of the festival. During festival days people wear new clothes and stay awake all night and roam around the streets to visit different pandals. The whole of Bengal dress in light and enthusiasm. Also Durga Puja is celebrated in many parts of India during this period.
Do not forget to witness the Ramlila. Its a huge event with lots and crowd and crackling sound.
Visit the Dusshera carnival and get absorb in the fair.
In every state Dusshera is celebrated in different mood and method. Visit Bengal to witness magnificent Durga Puja or if you are mountain devotee, visit Himachal Pradesh to see the Kullu fair.
In Mysore – During the time of Dussehra Mysore city witness some huge processions when people from ride on decorated elephants captures attentions. The streets are also decorated and the whole city is like newly wed bride. The celebration started by the Maharaja of Mysore, ending with the grand procession on the Vijayadasmai day.
In South India - In South India people celebrate the day with the victory goddess Kali over the treacherous demon. In the midnight of the festival day, people gather at Kulasekaranpattinam near Thiruchendur to pay respect to goddess Kali. The festival marks with the special dancing sequence like honeybees and dresses like goddess Kali while holding fire pots in their hands. In several villages of Tamil Nadu, tiger dances, known as Pulikali is organized, which captivates the all section of society.
In Bengal- In Bengal Vijayadashmi marks with the famous Durga Puja. Its a 4-5 days event where large and incredible pandals are set to revere goddess Durga. The festival is famous even in abroad and people from all the world come to see the glory and richness of the festival. During festival days people wear new clothes and stay awake all night and roam around the streets to visit different pandals. The whole of Bengal dress in light and enthusiasm. Also Durga Puja is celebrated in many parts of India during this period.
Do not forget to witness the Ramlila. Its a huge event with lots and crowd and crackling sound.
Visit the Dusshera carnival and get absorb in the fair.
In every state Dusshera is celebrated in different mood and method. Visit Bengal to witness magnificent Durga Puja or if you are mountain devotee, visit Himachal Pradesh to see the Kullu fair.
