India is known as the land of festivals and
celebrations. Several traditional festivals will be celebrated throughout the
country, and one among them is Dussehra. Every region in India celebrates this
festival with utmost devotion and respect. The celebrations mark the history
and significance of Dussehra. This year Vijaya Dhasami is going to celebrate on
11th October.
It is also known as Vijaya Dhasami, Dussehra and
Dashain. Different regions of India have different names of Dussehra. In
North-India, it is called as Dussehra, Dashain in Nepal. Coming to South-India,
it was called as Vijaya Dhasami, Dasara. Though it has different names and
different rituals, all the people across the country celebrate this auspicious
festival with more joy.
Why do we celebrate Vijaya Dhasami
Dasara marks the festivity of all age groups to
celebrate. From children to elders, all will participate in the Dussehra
celebrations. There are two important stories behind Vijaya Dhasami
celebrations. One story is associated with Lord Rama and another is associated
with Goddess Durga. The festival of Dussehra signifies the victory of good over
evil. The statutes of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Indrajit are burned signifying as
Rama’s victory.
According to the great Hindu epic Ramayana, Lord
Ram killed Ravana on the tenth day that is Dussehra. Ravana is said to have
abducted Ram’s wife, Sita. The end of Ravana’s rule meant the end of bad and
evil spirit as he was a demon by birth too.
Throughout Navaratri, Ramleela is organised in
many northern parts of the country and people enjoy the
enactment of the play based on Ramayana.
Another legend connected to Goddess Durga is Mahishasura
who is a demon king and more powerful. He was undefeatable by Lord Brahma, Lord
Vishnu and Lord Siva. Therefore, all the gods create Goddess Durga to destroy
Mahishasura. Goddess Durga, an avatar of Maha Sakthi, fought with the demon
king and defeated him.
Her victory over Mahishasura is celebrated as
Vijaya Dhasami or Dussehra by many people following Hinduism.
In South India, the nine days preceding Dussehra have been equally
divided for worshipping the nine avatars of Goddesses Durga. The women
and the children of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka arrange
small statues like dolls, known as ‘Bommai (Bommala) Kolu’, on
artificial steps and decorate the steps and the nearby place with
beautiful lamps and flowers.
Another story from the epics connected to
the origin of Dussehra from the greatest Hindu epic, Mahabharata. Gauravas banished Pandavas for 12 years and one year disguise because of
Dharmaraj was defeated by Gauravas in the gambling.
Pandavas
decided to live in exile in the woods for 12 years and one year in
disguise. They have hidden their weapons under the Shami tree. For every
one year in the ending, they visit the Shami tree and worship it and
Goddess Durga. Pandavas fought over Gauravas and emerged victory. This
has happened on Dashami. And ever since, the good had achieved victory
over evil, and it is marked as Vijaya Dhasami.
There are many other epic stories associated with the festival of
Dussehra. No matter what the stories are, festivals in India convey the
message of kindness, peace and love.
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