Wishing all the readers a very happy and splendid Dussehra !!
Dussehra is celebrated after Navratri because Lord Ram worshipped Goddess Durga before starting his journey to defeat Ravana it is one of the most important festival celebrated amongst Indian households.
Dussehra marks the triumph of good over evil and it usually falls in the month of Ashvin, this festival is called by different names across India some refer it as Durga Puja or Vijayadashami in the east and north- east.
Durga Puja or Vijayadashami celebrates Maa Durga's victory over the demon Mahishasura to protect dharma, the story behind Dussehra signifies Lord Rama's victory over Ravana it was on the same day that Arjuna annihilated the Kuru clan, including great warriors like Bhisma, Drona, Karna, Ashwatthama, in the battle of Kurukshetra.
Dussehra or Vijayadashami has various stories behind it and so this festival is celebrated in different ways across India, in most states in North or Western India, Dussehra is celebrated in honor of Lord Rama.
Ram lilas, which are re-enacted musical plays based on the Ram Charita Manas are performed when large effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkarana and Meghanad are burnt down. On the other hand, many places in South India, the festival is celebrated in honor of Maa Saraswati -Goddess of knowledge and arts. On this day, people clean and worship their instruments of livelihood and seek Goddess Saraswati's blessings.
In Western India, especially in Gujrat, people observe fasts and worship all the nine avatars of Goddess Durga for the nine days of Navratri leading to Dussehra or Vijayadashami, on the tenth day, Maa Durga's idol is immersed in water signifying her return to Kailash with Lord Shiva.
Meanwhile, in West Bengal Durga Puja leads to Vijayadashami, also called Bijoy Dashomi, wherein clay statues of Goddess Durga are immersed in water bidding a farewell to Goddess Durga. Before the immersion Bengali women indulge in Sindoor Khela wherein they apply Sindoor on each other and wear red clothing - this signifies Maa Durga's victory.
Dussehra or Vijayadashami also signifies the end of negativity and evil within us (biases, prejudices and stereotypes) and marks a fresh beginning in our life.
Unknown facts about Dussehra-
1. Dussehra comes from the Sanskrit word Dash Hara, which means 'the defeat of the Sun', if Lord Rama had not killed Ravana, the Sun of Dharma would have risen again.
2. In Mysore, Goddess Chamundeshwari is worshipped on the day of Dussehra.
3. In Tamil Nadu, the celebration of Dussehra is called Golu, the idols are made to create various scenes that depict their culture and heritage. According to a legend, since Goddess Durga needed marvelous power, all other Gods and Goddesses transferred their powers to her as an outcome they stood still as a statue.
4. In North India, it is a tradition to sow barely seeds in earthen pots on the first day of Navratri, on the day of Dussehra these sprouts are used as symbols of luck men place them in their caps or behind ears.
5. Due to the return of Goddess Durga on Earth, many communities in Hinduism practice the return of married and unmarried women to their homes.
6. Other famous celebrations of Dussehra in India include that of Kullu in Himachal Pradesh, people from all over the country visit Kullu, also known as the Valley of Gods to participate in this mega festival. It begins on the day of Dussehra and continues for a week after that it starts with a procession of Lord Raghunath carried with other deities across the town.
7. Dussehra is not only celebrated in India but also in Bangladesh, Nepal and Malaysia, it is a national holiday in Malaysia it is celebrated with equal fervor in these countries as they have sizeable Hindu population.
8. Dussehra marks the harvesting of Kharif crops and sowing of Rabi crops it is an important occasion for farmers of all beliefs.
I hope you all like this article stay blessed and stay safe.
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