The month of October and November are usually marked with a chain of a festival in India. The major festival of India is celebrated in these months like Navaratri, Dussehra, Diwali, Chhath Puja, etc.
Dussehra is also known as Vijayadashami, Dasara, or Dashain is one of the major Hindu festivals that symbolizes the victory of good over evil.
The word Dussehra stands for Dus which means ten in hind and Hara means annihilated.
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When do we celebrate Dussehra?
Dussehra festival is celebrated in various forms in different parts of India. It is celebrated on the tenth day of the Navratri (Vijayadashami which means “victory on the tenth day”.)
In India, the Dussehra festival is full of dancing, singing songs, and mingling with the community. Due to some external distortion over the year with Britishers, we lost this vibrant festival today.
Dasara Festival Story
We have to bring the richness of this festival to India. Everyone should celebrate Vijayadashami as a nation irrespective of caste, creed, or religion – with love, joy, and affection.
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According to the Hindu Calendar,
Dussehra 2024 in India – 12 October, 2024
Dussehra/Vijayadashami – The Tenth Day Of Celebration
Why do we celebrate Dussehra/Vijayadashami?
Dussehra symbolizes the victory of good over evil, Dussehra, is one of the most notable Indian festivals. This festival is celebrated in all states of India. ONE FESTIVAL, MANY BELIEFS. Dussehra: A Celebration of Unity in Diversity.
One Festival, Many Beliefs: How India Celebrates Dussehra
North India
In north India, Dussehra signifies the victory of good over evil.
The king of Lanka Ravana was a great follower of lord shiva. Ravan is a very cruel king. He has prominent characteristics like lust for power, women & greed.
Sadhguru says, in life when there is only knowledge but no love & compassion then one becomes egoistic.
Maryada Purushottam Shree Ram the king of Ayodhya ( seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu) took his birth to destroy the evil Ravan to save the world.
Ramlila (Drama, dance, and music plays) is performed in the villages and suburbs on the northern side of India.
This Ramlila is based on the tale as described in the Ramcharitramanas.
Who all are burnt on Dussehra?
On the day of Vijayadashami, huge effigies of Ravana, Meghnath, and Kumbhakarna are lit in the Ram Leela Maidan amidst the carnival-like atmosphere that signifies their end and the restoration of dharma.
The burning effigies signify the killing of all evils of the soul, which are represented by the ten heads of Ravana.
10 Heads of Raavan
Each of his heads stands for evil;
- Kama stands for Lust,
- Krodha for Anger,
- Moha for Attachment,
- Lobh for Greed,
- Mada for Pride,
- Swarth for Selfishness,
- Matsara for Jealousy,
- Ahankara for Ego,
- Amanavta for Lack of Humanity
- Anyaya for Injustice.
Ego & negativity is replaced by Divine knowledge, Love & happiness – that is the victory of Rama over Ravana (Good over Evil). Many Hindus believe that it is lucky to start a new venture, project, or journey on Dussehra.
Fact: Did you know the effigy burning tradition dates back hundreds of years and is celebrated in the UNESCO-recognized Ramlila performances?
This practice is marked as “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO in 2008.
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South India
Dussehra celebrations begin nine days before Dussehra. In this region, these nine holy days are dedicated to the worship of the three main deities of Hinduism.
Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped in the first three days, as she is said to be the best of wealth and prosperity, while Saraswati is prayed for the next three days, which is called the dualism of knowledge and art. The last three days is dedicated to Maa Durga.
Miniature statues and beautiful tableaux of dolls are set up in artificial stages in homes, traditionally known as ‘Bommai Kolu‘. in the states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andra Pradesh.
In Mysuru, Goddess Chamundeshwari is worshipped on the day of Dussehra.
In Tamil Nadu, the celebration of Dussehra is called Golu. The idols are made to create various scenes that depict their culture and heritage.
Eastern India
According to Puranas, Dussehra is celebrated as the victory of the goddess Durga over a cruel named buffalo demon Mahishasura who had become so powerful that he had captured both heaven and earth.
It is believed that after a long battle of nine days, the powerful goddess subdued her and killed Mahishasura; Therefore, this day is celebrated as Vijayadashami.
In the Eastern part of India, huge idols of Goddess Durga are ‘Visarjan’ (immersed) in rivers and seas with great reverence and are seen with pomp.
Western India
In Maharashtra, the Flour tree is worshipped and we gift the leaves to share the happiness and get the blessing to form the elderly.
It is believed the homecoming of Pandavas from their exile of 13 years. That this is the day when Pandavas, retrieved their weapons from under a Shami tree.
Shami Tree is considered to be a symbol of goodwill.
Fact: It is said that starting a new business or venture on Dussehra brings success and fortune.
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Symbols of Dussehra/Vijaya Dashami
Symbols seen throughout the Dussehra/Vijaya Dashami celebrations include:
- Bonfires and fireworks
- Paper and wood effigies of Ravana.
- Prayers
- Red spots (tika) are painted on people’s foreheads.
- Watching with awe the beautiful idols, lighting, and decor.
- Singing and Dancing and Drama amongst young boys, girls, men, and women.
Some of the FAQs related to the Dussehra Festival 2024
What do we eat on Dussehra?
- Chholia Paneer Rasedaar.
- Pindi Chane.
- Black Chana and Sweet Potato Chaat.
- Soya Murtabak with Tomato-Lemon Sauce.
- Raw Papaya Kebabs with Aloo Bhukhara Chutney.
- Paneer Kundan Kaliyan.
- Peach and Paan Koftas in Korma Sauce.
- Khoya Tarts.
Does Sri Lankan pray Ravana? Dussehra in Sri Lanka?
Sri Lankans don’t worship Ravana as a god but they regard him as a great king for all that he is famed to do.
How many days after Dussehra is Diwali Celebrated?
Diwali is celebrated 21 days after Dussehra because on this day Lord Rama arrived in Ayodhya after killing Asur “Ravan” the victory of good over evil.
If we conclude it a day when we should leave the all wrong stuff and begin the new journey to the truth. Dussehra is marked as a festival of victory of good over evil.
You should enjoy the festival with great enthusiasm and leave all the worries.
On the auspicious occasion of Dussehra let us all take a pledge to burn all the vices mushrooming inside.
When Rama wins then there is only Light (Eternal Happiness). So the choice is ours. Either we become Ravana & get entrapped in worldly pleasures or become Rama (A spiritual being).
How do you celebrate Dussehra? Whether you’re watching Ramlila in the North or setting up a Bommai Kolu in the South, we want to hear about your unique traditions!
Share your Dussehra celebration stories, photos, and rituals in the comments or tag us on social media using #DussehraTraditions. Let’s celebrate this beautiful festival together!
I hope now you’ll come to know why we celebrate Dussehra.
Stay Tuned.
Happy Dussehra 2024 to everyone.
Thank you.
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