DUSSEHRA

Dussehra is a very famous festival for Hindus; it is also known as ‘Vijayadasami’. The occasion is celebrated every year at the end of Navratri in the month of Ashvin (Hindu calendar), basically in September or October Month according to the Gregorian calendar. We all know that India is the land of multicultural and multilingual people; thus the festivals here are celebrated in various ways in different parts of the country. In the north-eastern and eastern regions of India, Dussehra is celebrated as Dussehra honouring goddess Durga’s victory over the demon Mahishasur.

In southern, northern and western regions, Dussehra marks the end of Ramlila and honours lord Rama’s victory over the evil Ravana. Irrespective of the ways of celebration; the ultimate aim remains the same, i.e. to celebrate the victory of good over evil. It goes without saying that people wait for this occasion like anything as they get to buy new clothes, gather with family and friends to enjoy different mela organized in the open grounds and also to watch shows based on Ramlila.

Dussehra is a very popular festival of Hindus. It is an annual function celebrated in the month of September or October (date varies according to the Hindu calendar). On this day, large effigies or dummies of Ravana, Kumbhakarana and Meghnaath are burnt, which symbolize the destruction of evil power and the triumph of good over evil. The occasion is an important part of Vijayadashmi (10th day of Navaratri). Thus, besides celebrating the epic war between Rama and Ravana and the historic victory of lord Rama over Ravana; there are certain other rituals which must be followed on Dussehra.

Dussehra is one of the most desired festivals of Hindus and is widely celebrated all over India. The occasion holds high religious values amongst Hindus especially in the eastern, central and western part of India. Even though, the festival is celebrated in different manners in various parts of the country, the spirit remains the same for everyone. Dussehra is celebrated to signify the triumph of good over evil forces. Ramlila is the most significant feature of Dussehra Celebration where the legendary stories from Ramayana, especially the war between Rama and Ravana are re-enacted through fascinating plays and skits.

Dussehra Fair (Mela)

One of the major highlights of this occasion is the Dussehra Mela; various stalls and mini shops are set up for joy-rides, shopping, eating and purchasing, to name a few. Streets get bustled with people who gather in the huge ground to not only enjoy the fair, but also to see the effigies of Ravana and his counterparts being burnt.

Dussehra is also called Vijayadashami, which is a combination of two words ‘Vijaya means victory’ and ‘Dashami means tenth’. Hence, Dussehra is celebrated on the tenth day with great enthusiasm and fervour and people recognise the triumph of good over evil. It is also called Navaratri in many places and is celebrated worldwide wherever Hindus reside.

Mostly in western and northern India, Dussehra is celebrated in admiration of Lord Rama. Various forms of drama, dance, music and plays based on the epic Ramayana are performed in the open fields where a temporary stage is built and decorated with flowers, lights, clothes and other materials. Stage artists enact Rama, Lakshmana, Sita, Hanumana, Ravana and other notable characters of Ramayana. The performance lasts for almost 10 days and on the day of Dussehra (10th day) when Rama defeats Ravana, large effigies or dummies of Ravana, Kumbhakarana and Meghnath are burnt in the same field where the performance is organised. Dussehra is also celebrated in schools with complete fervour and zeal. Ramayana stories are enacted by children and fairs are held at school which are open for both children and their parents. Hence, Dussehra is one of the much awaited festivals across India.

Dussehra is celebrated across India; the occasion commemorates the victory of good over evil. The festival is celebrated on the 10th day in the month of Ashwin (Hindu calendar) which falls in the month of September or October. According to Hindu Mythology, Lord Rama killed the powerful and fierce demon Ravana and this is why Dussehra is calso called Vijaya Dashmi (victory day). In order to honour good’s victory over evil forces, people burn the effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkaran (Ravan’s brother) and Meghnaath (Ravan’s son). The Puja rituals can be performed by men and women both. The burning of effigies implies that we should also destroy evil force that resides within us and inculcate virtues.

Conventionally, in Indian culture, Dussehra has always been full of various performances, eating and merry-making; it’s the occasion when the entire community come together in order to enjoy the festive mood. People buy new clothes, go out to visit friends and family members, exchange gifts, etc. Giant rides are erected in the Ramlila ground where stories from the epic Ramayana are been enacted through various dramas and plays. On the 10th day, large dummies of Ravana, Kumbhakarana and Meghnaath get burnt signifying the destruction of evils. The festival Dussehra is of huge cultural significance for Hindus; but it has become a matter of celebration for everyone now irrespective of caste, creed, religion, etc. Dussehra has a great lesson to learn for everyone and thus it should be celebrated with great fervour, gaiety and love.

Introduction

Dussehra is celebrated by different names such as ‘Vijaya-Dashmi’, ‘Navaratri’ and ‘Durga Puja’in different parts of India. Though it is observed on the same day, i.e. on the 10th day, but the methods of celebration may vary from state to state. In western India, it is celebrated as ‘Navaratri’ and ‘Dandiyaa performance is organised which is a traditional dance performed by Gujaratis. In Eastern India, Durga puja is organised marking the triumph of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasur. In central India, on the occasion of Dussehra; ‘Ram Lila’, which is the brief adaptation of the story from Ramayana is enacted on temporary or permanent stages. Actors dress up like Rama, Sita, Lakshamana, Hanumana and Ravana and perform for the entire 10 days.

Dussehra Celebration and Social Gathering

Dussehra is the great occasion for gathering; people wait for the entire year as during Dussehra people get to meet each other, they watch the Ramlila show for complete 10 days with great enthusiasm, relish succulent dishes from the stalls placed in the ground where Ramlila is being performed.

The tradition of performing Ramlila is famous since time immemorial and is organised by communities in almost every villages, towns, cities, schools, colleges, etc. attracting the audience from different social and economic backgrounds. Dussehra festival spreads different social message too. It not only signifies the victory of good over evil, but it also inspires people to stay united despite their different backgrounds and join hands  to install and decorate the stage, help the artists to design and build up the huge effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarana & Meghnath. Some people get busy with installing the food, accessories and gifts stalls. Huge rides are also organised for children and adults. On the tenth day i.e. on Dussehra the effigies are burnt. Thus, the popularity for this wonderful festival is increasing year after year and everyone across India eagerly waits for the occasion.

Dusshera is celebrated with great excitement and fervour across India. It is observed every year in the month of September or October; dates vary according to Hindu calendar. People display the festive mood by wearing new clothes and putting on tilak on their forehead. Ladies prepare traditional delicacies at home; people exchange gifts and watch Ramlila shows together. The day culminates by burning the huge effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarana and Meghnath later in the evening. The celebration lasts for 10 days and the concluding day is called Dussehra meaning ‘the tenth-day’.

Though, every state in India has its own reason and unique style of celebrating Dussehra; but there is no difference in their spirit. In Maharashtra, people ritually cross the border of their community and wish everyone’s good health, wealth and prosperity irrespective of caste, class, creed or religion. In Mysore, it is celebrated as Nada-habba and a huge colourful procession is carried out on the streets on this day. In Tamil Nadu and Kerala, Vijayadashmi is considered very auspicious for commencing education, dance or music performances.  Mother Saraswati is worshipped on this day when the formal education of small kids begins.

Dussehra has a huge importance in North India; people celebrate for the entire 10 days by performing on the stories from the legendary Ramayana. Huge stages are erected in large grounds, people gather in groups to watch the enactment of brief stories from Ramayana in the form of drama.

The day concludes by burning the huge statue of Ravana, Kumbhkaran and Meghnath with fireworks; thereby signifying the destruction of evil forces and triumph of virtues. In the eastern regions of India, such as Assam, Bengal, Orissa, etc. Dusshera is celebrated as ‘Durga Bisarjan’ and the large statues of Goddess Durga, Saraswati, Lakshmi and the demon Mahishasur get immersed in the river.

Dussehra is celebrated in various schools and learning centres too. The festival symbolises victory, determination, will-power, faith and unity. It is important that every child knows the significance of Dussehra festival in order to align themselves to the age-old culture and tradition and also realize the importance of good forces and deriving the courage to stand up against the evil doers.

Introduction

There are various important festivals celebrated by Hindus and Dusshera is one of the festivals, celebrated across India and abroad too where Hindus live. Though the literal meaning of Dussehra is the ‘tenth day’ and it is celebrated on the tenth day in the month of ‘Ashwin’ (Hindu calendar), but the festive spirit begins much before the actual day. It is celebrated as Navaratri’ in various parts of India.

Significance

According to Hindu mythology, Lord Rama had worshiped mother Durga to seek his blessings before attacking Ravana and rescuing his beloved wife Sita. This is why, Dussehra holds two significances; it is celebrated as Durga Puja primarily in the eastern and north-eastern parts of India or at places where Bengalis reside. In central and north India, people celebrate Dussehra by burning the dummies of Ravana, Kumbhakarana and Meghnatha. Thus, on the tenth day, Navratri concludes as Dusshera, signifying the victory of good over evil.

Dussehra is celebrated as the day of victory all over the world; it’s a day when Lord Rama killed Ravana and a day when mother Durga killed the demon Mahishasura. The spirit or essence of the festival lies in its message i.e. to overcome all obstacles and emerge victorious with the help of steadfast attitude and power of perseverance.

War between Lord Rama and Ravana

It is believed that the festival Dussehra signifies the legendary victory of Lord Rama over the ten-headed Ravana. As per the Hindu mythology, before attacking Ravana, Lord Rama worshipped mother Durga to get her blessings. He prayed and observed fast for nine days; this is why it is also called ‘Navaratri’ at several places and people also observe fast for nine days. On the tenth day, Lord Rama defeated Ravana and rescued Sita, his abducted wife.

Celebrations

Dusshera is celebrated with great zeal in central and north regions of India; large effigies of devil Ranava, Kumbhakarana and Meghnath are put up in large fields and burnt with fireworks. Ramlila in the form of short stories from the sacred book called ‘Ramayana’ are enacted on stage. Enthralling fairs are organized with various interesting highlights, such as puppet shows, rides, food stalls, etc. People meet each other, exchange gifts, children enjoy the rides; the entire ground becomes a sight of fun and enjoyment during those 10 days and especially on the day of Dussehra, i.e. the 10th day.

Conclusion

Thus, Dussehra symbolizes a great traditional and spiritual importance and it is one of the most integral festivals for Hindus. The festival unites people from different backgrounds and so the flame for Dussehra must continue to burn for years and years to come.