Dussehra celebrated on 10th day of the month of Ashvini. On this day, evil was defeated. This year Dussehra will be celebrated on 12th October, Saturday. It is believed that on this day Lord Rama achieved victory by killing Ravana. Since then, on the day of Dussehra, effigies of Ravana are burnt and Lord Rama is worshipped. Every year people celebrate this day with great pomp. There are many religious beliefs and mythological stories behind the day of Dussehra. In this blog we will learn about some stories.
Mythological stories of Dussehra
During Sharadiya Navratri, when 9 forms of Maa Durga are worshipped for 9 days, the 10th day is celebrated as Vijayadashmi, which we know as Dussehra.
Lord Rama was exiled for 14 years. Sita and his younger brother Lakshmana also went to the forest with Lord Rama. During the exile, Ravana kidnapped Sita to take revenge for the insult of his sister Surpanakha. Lord Rama was wandering from forest to forest to find Sita.
Then he sent Hanumanji to find Sita. Hanumanji crossed the vast ocean to reach Lanka and successfully found Sita. After that he went to Ravana and tried to convince him that he should apologize to Lord Rama and take refuge in him. If he wants his welfare, he should return Sita to Lord Rama, but Ravana did not listen to even one thing.
Ravana challenged Ramji to a war and invited his own death. After this Ramji reached Lanka and a very fierce war took place, this war went on for many days and it ended with the defeat of Ravana. The day Lord Rama killed Ravana is celebrated as Vijayadashmi. Remembering this day, people burn the effigies of Ravana, Maikhnath and Kumbhakaran to celebrate the victory of good.
It is said that on the day of Dussehra, Lord Rama killed Ravana to free Mother Sita. Since then, Dussehra is celebrated as the victory of good over evil i.e. Vijayadashmi. Dussehra is celebrated with great magnificence. People worship Lord Rama. Ramlila is organized at many places and on the day of Dussehra, effigies of Ravana are made and burnt. Dussehra is considered a symbol of victory of Lord Rama. On this day, evil was defeated and good won.
Killing of Mahishasura
Dussehra is known as the victory of the Goddess in mythology, i.e. the victory of goodness, after killing the demon Mahisasur. Another belief behind celebrating Dussehra or Vijayadashami is that when Mahisasur had created terror among the three worlds, the Gods prayed to Goddess Durga to save them from this problem. Mahisasur had a boon that neither any God nor any man could kill him, so the Goddess took the form of Chandi and killed Mahisasur and protected the three worlds. This war lasted for 9 days, so Dussehra is also celebrated on the 10th day to mark the victory of good over evil. On Dussehra, the idol of Devi is immersed in water.
Dussehra is celebrated in a unique way in many states of the India.
As we know that India is a country full of diversity. Just like the languages change with the place, the way of celebrating festivals also changes, that is why Navratri and Dussehra are also celebrated differently in all the states, about which we will know today.
Bastar
The festival of Dussehra in Chhattisgarh is famous all over the world and is celebrated in a unique way. This is a special and longest lasting festival. Preparations for this festival begin many days in advance. The construction of the chariot begins many days in advance and this festival lasts for about 75 days. Kachan Gudi Devi is especially worshipped in Bastar district.
Kolkata
In Kolkata, West Bengal, the festival of Dussehra is celebrated with great cortege. The people there celebrate this festival as Durga Puja. In Calcutta, large and grand pandals of Maa Durga are built which have different themes. Durga Puja ends on the 10th day i.e. Dussehra. Married women bid farewell to the Goddess by applying vermilion and the idol is immersed on the day of Dussehra.
Varanasi
The festival of Dussehra is celebrated with great magnificence in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Ramlila is also organized here where big artists come to exhibit their art and narrate the Ramayana. Lakhs of devotees from all over the country come to see this Ramlila.
Delhi Ramlila Ground
Dussehra of Ramlila Maidan is very famous in Delhi. There is a lot of grandiosity here from the first day of Navratri to the burning of Ravana on Dussehra. Thousands of people come here to see Ramlila. Ramlila is very famous. Apart from Ramlila Maidan, fairs and Samlila are organized at many other places in Delhi
Apart from all these places, Dussehra fairs are organized all over India. Everywhere the fairs are celebrated with great pomp and show. The beauty of all the states including Delhi is worth seeing. There is a lot of commotion everywhere. Everyone gets ready and goes to the fair. In these fairs, there are various types of swings, games, food stalls, shops for shopping and many other things for entertainment.
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