What Is Dussehra? Why Is Dussehra Celebrated? – Dussehra is a famous festival of Hindus. IT is also known as the Vijayadashami. Dussehra is celebrated on the tenth day in the Shukla Paksha of Ashwin month. People all over India celebrated Dussehra with great pomp and show. Dussehra is the festival of the victory of good over evil.
Dussehra 2022
It marks the day on which Lord Rama defeated the demon king king Ravana and Goddess Durga killed the Mahishasura. The members of the families dress up and come together to spend time with each other on Dussehra by eating good food and watching fireworks.
Dussehra is celebrated different in different parts of the country. On Dussehra, effigies of Ravana along with his brother Kumbhkaran and Meghnath are also burnt fairs and exhibition are held at various places in India. People starts new work on this day. There is a holiday in schools and government offices on Dussehra.
The festival name is derived from the Sanskrit words dasha(” ten”) and hara (“defeat”). Dussehra is celebrated with great fervor and fanfare. In North India, it incorporates Ramlila, a gala theatrical enactment of Rama’s life story.
The 14th day of the dark half of each lunar month is specially sacred to Shiva, but when it occurs in the month of Magha (January – February) and, to a lesser extent in the month of Phalguna (February-March), it is a day of particular rejoicing.
The preceding day the participant observes a fast and at night a vigil during which a special worship of the lingam (symbol of Shiva) is performed. In some parts of India, Dussehra is considered a focal point of the festival, making it effectively span 10 days instead of 9.
It begins on the same day as Durga Puja, a 10 – day festival devoted to the victory of the goddess Durga, which is particularly celebrated in certain eastern states. Everyone eagerly waits for this festival. The main outcome of this festival is every time truth wins over lies, good wins over evil and light wins over dark.
Therefore people’s beliefs on this festival may be different from each other, but they celebrate it with the same essence throughout the country. As per Hindu Mythology, after killing Mahishasura, Goddess Durga comes to her father’s house on Earth along with her four children. And she leaves after five days.
Clay images of Durga are made along with the images of her children. The effigies are brilliantly decorated. The Goddess has ten hands and she holds different weapons in all her hands including a snake. They wear new clothes on all five days and have mega feast on all days.
Everyone remains in festive spirit for over a week. They relax and enjoy themselves with friends and families. Many get to meet their distant relatives during this festival. Roads and buildings, and houses are decorated with colorful lights.
Conclusion:
Even though Dussehra is celebrated differently in different parts of the country, the common theme is the victory of good over evil. It is a very important and auspicious festival for the Hindus.