Omkar Dattatray
Dussehra is a festival that unites people across India in the celebration of good prevailing over evil.It strengthens the spirit and doctrine of unity in diversity as this festival is celebrated on Pan India basis.It is a time for reflection ,tradition,and community ,as people come together to remember the heroic deeds of Lord Rama and the significance of righteousness.Dussera ,also known as Vijayadashmi ,is one of the most prominent and widely celebrated Hindu festivals in India.This festival ,which marks the triumph of good over evil ,holds immense cultural and religious significance .Dussera usually falls in September or October ,depending on the lunar calendar.The festival typically concludes with the burning of effigies of Ravana,Kumbkaran and Meghnad ,symbolizing the victory of good over evil.This is a Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of Lord Rama over demon king Ravana.According to epic Ramayana ,Ravana Kidnapped Lord Rama’s wife ,Sita ,and took her to Lanka.After an epic battle lasting ten days ,Lord Rama ,aided by Lord Hanuman and his loyal army ,vanquished Ravana symbolizing the victory of righteousness over evil.The day of Ravans defeat ,which is the 10th day of the bright half of the lunar month of Ashwin ,is celebrated as Dussehra .The festival represents the victory of virtue and righteousness .It is time for people to reflect on the importance of truth,morality and the triumph of good over evil. This day signifies the righteousness and valor of Lord Rama and eventual defeat of evil Ravana. Dussehra also marks the end of the Navratri festival, which celebrates the various forms and manifestations of the goddess Durga. In south Indian states, Dussehra is celebrated as the AyudhaPuja ,during which people clean and decorate their tools, vehicles and weapons. This is a show of gratitude to the tools that help people to earn their livelihood. The Ram Lila is a dramatic reenactment of scenes from Ramayana .It is a significant part of Dussehra celebrations ,with artists and actors portraying characters from the epic. This theatrical performance narrates the story of Lord Rama’s life and his victory over Ravana. These performances often take place in open fields and are attended by large crowds. In some regions, Dussehra concludes with the immersion (Visarjan) of Durga idols, concluding the Navratra festival. This is a grand and colorful event.
A wide range of delicious sweets is prepared during Dussehra, including Jalebi, ladoos and special dishes like sabudanaKhichdi in some regions .It is a time for families and communities to come together and enjoy these treats. On Dussehra ,it is customary to receive Tika (vermilion ) on the forehead from elders as a blessing ,along with some Prasad(blessed food) .This is a symbol of protection and good luck.
People visit temples dedicated to Lord Rama and offer prayers on Dussehra. Temples are often beautifully decorated ,and idols of gods and goddesses are adorned with finery.
Dussehra is celebrated with enthusiasm throughout India ,but various regions have their unique customs and traditions. In the northern states, the burning of Ravana’s effigies is the most important and popular tradition.
These effigies can be enormous and are filled with fireworks ,making for a spectacular display. In the southern states ,the focus is often on Ayudha Puja, where tools, vehicles and instruments are cleaned, decorated and worshipped.
Dussehra is a festival that unites people across India in the celebration of good prevailing over evil. It is the time for reflection, tradition, and community ,as people come together to remember the heroic deeds of Lord Rama and the significance of righteousness. The festival showcases the rich cultural diversity and religious heritage of India, making it an occasion that is both spiritually profound and visually captivating.
It promises to be a day of joyous festivities, rituals, and the symbolic destruction of evil ,marking the triumph of virtue and light. Dussehra ,also called Dasara or Vijayadashmi ,in Hinduism is a ,holiday marking the triumph of Rama ,an avatar of Vishnu ,over the 10 -headed demon king Ravana ,who abducted Rama’s wife,Sita.The festivals name is derived from Sanskrit words dasha (ten) and hara (defeat). Dussehra is the most auspicious festival celebrated by Hindus across India. This festival is also popularly known as Vijayadashmi in some parts of the country. According to Hindu mythology ,it is believed that on this day Goddess Durga eliminated the demon ,Mahishasura from earth. Dussehra is celebrated with great fervor and fanfare .In north India it incorporates Ram Lila ,a gala theatrical enactment of Rama’s life story. Effigies of Ravana-often with those of Meghnada (Ravana’s son ) and Kumbkaran (Ravana’s brother) -are stuffed with firecrackers and set ablaze at night in open fields. Thus Dussehra is an important Hindu festival that is celebrated in September/ October. The festival is celebration of the victory of Lord Rama over demon king Ravana in the Hindu epic, Ramayana. Dussehra in simple terms signifies the victory of good over evil. Dussehra is celebrated all over the country on the same day. Dussehra also commemorates Goddess Durga’s triumph over Mahishura in defending the world from him.The glorious nine-day celebration of Navratri comes to end with Dusserha holiday. The tenth day of this fortunate event symbolizes the victory of good over evil. It takes place in the seventh lunar month of the Hindu Calendar, Ashwin. The Gregorian calendar places Dussehra between the months of September and October. This occasion is also referred to as Dasara. In several regions of India, Dussehra is a season of joy and celebration .In brief Dussehra festival represents the annihilation of evil and haughtiness via the adoption of moral values and righteous conduct. Let us uphold the truth and goodness and shun untruth and evil in all forms. This is the best way to remember Lord Rama , his life and teachings which we should emulate.
(The author is a columnist, social and KP activist).
