Dussehra in India

When did the Dussehra in India start?

The first recorded date of Dussehra in India being celebrated on October 2 was in the year 1792.

About Dussehra in India Holiday

Dussehra, a mesmerizing celebration of lights and joy, heralds across India with fanfare every year. One of the major Indian festivals, Dussehra portrays the victory of good over evil. Taking place in the Hindu month of Ashwin, Duhsara celebrates the victory of the God Rama over the demon-king Ravana.

The festival of Dussehra is marked with much enthusiasm, especially in Northern India, where there are huge fairs and festivities all around. One of the most spectacular sights to behold, is the burning of a Ravana effigy in a bonfire. This symbolizes the victory of Rama and his vanquishing the evil. Ranging from young kids to adults, every age group indulges in festivities.

Apart from the burning effigy, there is the holy dip in Ganges, related rituals, worships, and merry-making of an ample kind. Traditional dance performances, folk-songs, and innovative decorations add to the festivity. People celebrate Dussehra in their best traditional attire, adorning unique cultural flavor to the event. Sweet delicacies are distributed, and cultural merry-making fill up the air. Dussehra is a significant event that brings people together to spread love and warmth, irrespective of cast and creed.

Dussehra in India
Dussehra is a major Hindu and Sikh festival that marks the triumph of good over evil and is celebrated in India and other parts of Asia as well. The festival usually falls in the month of October or September and is celebrated for nine days. Having originated over 5000 years ago, Dussehra has undergone many changes over time, with celebrations being adapted and added over the ages.

History and Origin

Dussehra in India is a festival that celebrates the victory of a good over evil, where truth is triumphant over injustice. One of the most popular celebrations of Dussehra is in the Hindu epic Ramayana. The story tells of Lord Rama, a prince from the kingdom of Ayodhya in North India, who wanted to be crowned king and reclaim a kingdom that had been stolen by Ravan, the king of Lanka. To prove his divine heritage, Rama attacked Lanka and rescued his kidnapped wife, Sita, and killed Ravan. This victory signifies the triumph of good over evil and is celebrated to this day.

The Dussehra festivities were originally initiated to commemorate this victory, but the festival has also grown to include other important Hindu stories, including Lord Krishna’s win over the demon Narakasura and Lord Vishnu’s destruction of the Asura king Mahabali. The celebration of Dussehra was further extended as a reminder to people of kings and queens who had been defeated and stripped of their power. It also evolved to mark the end of the harvest season in many parts of India.

Significance and Meaning

Dussehra in India is seen as a reminder to everyone that justice and truth will always prevail, no matter how dire the situation may seem. By celebrate this festival, Hindus and Sikhs are commemorating their ancient heroes and their legendary victories over evil. The festival also encourages people to be courageous and fight for what is right, and to understand that justice and truth will always win in the long run.

The festival also has an agricultural significance, as it marks the end of the harvest season in many parts of India. This signifies the abundance of the harvest and an opportunity for people to express their gratitude for a good season of crops and generous rains.

Traditions and Celebrations

The Dussehra festivities take place over nine days, which are called Navratri. These nine days consist of several rituals and festivities that differ from region to region. In some parts of India, the festival is marked by the worship and reverence of nine forms of the goddess Durga; while in others, the days are celebrated with prayers and offerings to the various gods and goddesses of Hinduism. Other common traditions include religious celebrations, feasts, music, and the burning of a large effigy of Ravan.

Some regions have specific customs for each of the nine days, while for other areas only a few days are celebrated. In North India, for example, each day of Navratri is associated with a different colour, while in the South, Ghatasthapna is the most important day.

On the tenth day, the day of Dussehra, the grandest festivities take place. Huge processions with brightly dressed people, dancing, fireworks, and chariot rides mark the festival across India. The effigy of Ravana is then burned in some regions at the end of the day.

Geographical Spread

Dussehra is celebrated all over India, with varying degrees of enthusiasm. In some regions, the festival is celebrated over nine days, while in others, the celebrations are limited to a single day.

In North India, the festival is celebrated with utmost importance. People dress in bright colours or in yellow on the day of Dussehra, and there are huge processions with traditional music and great enthusiasm. In Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and other parts of northern India, people perform kite flying competitions, with thousands of people taking to the air to fly their kites.

In South India, the festival is celebrated as Vijayadashami or Dasara and has its own unique customs and traditions. Ghatasthapana is the most important day here, and people observe the rituals related to it, and then gather around a campfire to celebrate Vijaya Dashami with traditional songs and dances.

East India is, in its own way, one of the most vibrant Dussehra celebrations. Here, it is marked by Durga puja, where the goddess Durga is honored over the nine days of festivities. Special pandals, or tents, are set up in various parts of cities and villages and decorated with vibrant lights and images of the goddess.

West India celebrates Dussehra for 10 days, starting with Mahalaya Amavasya. A large number of people observe fast and visit temples to seek blessings. People also exhange gifts and wear new clothes on Dussehra and special dishes such as puri, rabdi, and other local favorites are made.

Modern Day Observations

Dussehra is now celebrated in India with much more enthusiasm than ever before. The modern celebration has adapted to include new and different activities and the festival has become a much bigger affair.

One of the biggest changes is the addition of commercial activities and consumerism in the form of shopping, music gigs, and other entertainment activities. Many people now go on a shopping spree during the festival and gather with family and friends to celebrate.

Due to its popularity, Dussehra is now celebrated by people from all religions and communities across India. People from all walks of life celebrate the festival and come together to enjoy the revelry.

Interesting Facts or Trivia

• Dussehra is a festival which has been celebrated for more than 5,000 years.

• Hindus believe that Dussehra commemorates the triumph of Lord Rama over evil Ravana.

• The festival is celebrated for nine nights and ten days, depending on the region.

• The biggest procession on Dussehra is the one which takes place in Kullu Valley in Himachal Pradesh.

• The ceremony of burning of Ravana Effigies in various parts of India is a popular part of the festival.

• Dussehra also marks the beginning of the Diwali festivities.

• On the day of Dussehra, people don’t start any new venture as it is believed to bring bad luck.

• On Dussehra, people also break their fast and distribute sweets among each other.

• In the South of India, the day is celebrated as “Ayudha Puja” where people worship their tools and weapons.

• In some parts of India, Dussehra is also known as ‘Maha Navami’.

Holiday Wishes

• Wishing you a joyous Dussehra and an abundance of success and happiness.

• May your Dussehra be one of victory and success in all your endeavours.

• May this Dussehra bring good fortune to you and to your families.

• May the victory of good over evil be the harbinger of your success in life.

• Wishing you a memorable and joyful Dussehra.

Holiday Messages

• May this Dussehra bring an end to all your struggles and usher in a new beginning.

• On this auspicious day, may you be blessed with joy, happiness, and success.

• May the festivities of Dussehra signify the renewal of your faith and hope in life.

• May Dussehra fill your heart with good vibes and bring harmony and happiness to you and your home.

• Wishing you grand celebrations of Dussehra, filled with love and joy.

Holiday Quotes

• “Life is the game of struggle and ultimately the triumph of truth.” – Unknown

• “The biggest victory of human being is not the victory over a person or an enemy but the victory over one’s own self.” – Unknown

• “The festival of Dussehra has a special significance for the people of India — it marks the victory of good over evil, of justice over injustice.” – Narendra Modi

• “The victory of truth shall always be celebrated and always remembered. May the festival of Dussehra remind us that good shall always triumph over evil.” – Unknown

• “Today, when the entire world celebrates, may we remember that truth, courage and justice will always be victorious.” – Unknown

Other Popular Holiday Info

Other important aspects of Dussehra include:

• Dussehra in India is also celebrated as ‘Vijayadasami’, or ‘Vijaya’, the victory of truth. This is the day on which Lord Rama achieved victory over the evil Ravana.

• Dussehra is also known as Dasara or Dashahara. The term ‘Dasara’ is derived from Sanskrit ‘dasha-hara’ which literally means ‘remover of bad fate’.

• In southern India, people also venerate nine forms of Durga and Saraswati during Navratri, and a wooden platform is installed on the tenth day. People assemble around it, sing songs and celebrate the victory of truth.

• Dussehra is a time for giving and sharing. People exchange gifts and sweets among family and friends and exchange pleasant wishes.

• People also buy new clothes and other items, especially for the main day. People also refrain from starting any new venture on this day as it is said to bring bad luck.

• Another interesting activity associated with Dussehra is a fair, which is organized in almost all the cities and towns of India. People visit these fairs to buy toys, decorative items, and even livestock.

• The festival of Dussehra also signifies the start of Diwali festivities.

Dussehra is a significant festival in India and marks the victory of a good over evil. Thousands of people across India come together and mark the festival with colour, music, and joy. Despite the changes and continual evolution of the festival, its core essence remains unchanged: celebrating the victory of good over evil and seeking justice and truth. This makes Dussehra in India a festival to be remembered and celebrated by all.