Dussehra

When did the Dussehra start?

The first recorded date of Dussehra being celebrated on October 5 was in the year 1567.

About Dussehra Holiday

Dussehra is an important festival for Hindus, celebrated on the tenth day of the month of Ashvin, according to the Hindu calendar. The festival commemorates the victory of good over evil, as it marks the triumph of Lord Rama over Ravana’s evil. On this day, Hindus celebrate the victory of Rama and other gods by going to the temple, performing special prayers and rituals, and exchanging gifts with family and friends.

Dussehra is celebrated for nine days, and it begins with Durga Ashtami, when small idols of Goddess Durga are consecrated in homes and temples. In the ninth day known as Maha Navami, Goddess Durga is worshiped and offerings are made to the goddess. On this day, people also perform special ceremonies such as fasting, and dance performances which re-enact the story of Lord Rama. Finally, the tenth day is celebrated as Dussehra, the main event for Hindus. On this day, a gigantic effigy of Ravana is usually prepared and set ablaze in order to symbolize the victory of good over evil. This day is followed by celebrations, the exchange of gifts, and feasts.

Dussehra is a festival which promotes the ideals of peace and harmony, and is an important part of the Hindu culture. Every year, lakhs of people come together to celebrate this occasion, and it is a much-awaited celebration throughout India.

Dussehra – Celebrating the Victory of Good Over Evil

Dussehra is one of the major Hindu festivals enjoyed in India, Nepal, Pakistan and parts of Southeast Asia. Other than being a cultural celebration, Dussehra is also a religious event that symbolizes the victory of good over evil. This popular festival marks the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana. This article provides an overview of Dussehra, including its history and origin, significance and meaning, traditions and celebrations, geographical spread, modern day observations, interesting facts and other popular holiday information.

Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is a significant Hindu festival that marks the victory of good over evil. It is celebrated in various ways across India and in some parts of Nepal. Here are the countries and regions where Dussehra is celebrated:

1. India: Dussehra is celebrated across the country with much fervor, but the customs and rituals might vary between regions. For instance:
   • North India: It primarily commemorates the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana. Effigies of Ravana are burned in large gatherings.
   • South India: The day marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon Mahishasura. It’s also considered auspicious for beginning learning in arts and sciences.
   • West India: In some parts, processions and dance performances (like Garba) are the main attractions.
   • East India: In states like West Bengal, Dussehra marks the end of the Durga Puja festival, with idols of Goddess Durga being immersed in water bodies.
2. Nepal: Known as Dashain in Nepal, it is the most significant Hindu festival in the country. It is celebrated with family gatherings, animal sacrifices, and receiving blessings from elders.
3. Bangladesh: The minority Hindu community celebrates Durga Puja, which culminates on Dussehra with the immersion of Durga idols.
4. Indonesia: Although it is a Muslim-majority country, the island of Bali, where Hinduism is predominant, observes the festival. There’s also a unique rendition of the Ramayana called the Ramayana Ballet performed in Prambanan, Java, though not strictly confined to the Dussehra dates.
5. Malaysia: The Hindu community, though a minority, celebrates the festival, especially in areas with significant Indian-origin populations.
6. Trinidad and Tobago: The Hindu community observes Dussehra, among other Hindu festivals.
7. Fiji: With a considerable percentage of the population being of Indian descent, Hindu festivals like Dussehra are celebrated.
8. Mauritius: Given its significant Hindu population, Dussehra is observed among other Hindu festivals.
9. Guyana and Suriname: The presence of a Hindu community means that Dussehra is among the festivals celebrated.

While Dussehra is primarily a Hindu festival, its observance in some countries might be limited to regions or communities where Hindus reside. In these countries, the scale and nature of celebrations can vary based on local customs and the size of the Hindu population.

History and Origin

Dussehra is an ancient festival that dates back to the epic of Ramayana. According to the Hindu scriptures, the story is about Lord Rama, an incarnation of Vishnu, who defeated the demon king Ravana and his demon army at the end of a ten-day battle. After the battle, the gods celebrated Lord Rama’s victory by decorating the heavens with bright stars and lighting the sky with fireworks. Since then, Dussehra is celebrated by millions of people for the same reason.

Significance and Meaning

The underlying significance of Dussehra is based upon the victory of good over evil. This is symbolic of how each one of us should strive to keep the evil forces of fear, ignorance and intolerance at bay. It is an important reminder that peace and harmony should prevail no matter the cost.

In addition to this, Dussehra also celebrates the end of Navaratri, a nine-day festival of fasting and praying that honors the Hindu Goddess Durga. As a part of this celebration, Hindus pray for the blessings and protection of the Mother Goddess.

Traditions and Celebrations

On the day of Dussehra, Hindus gather to perform traditional ceremonies, such as Puja (worship), playing with colors, fireworks and other holiday activities. The festival culminates with the burning of an effigy of Ravana, symbolizing the destruction of the demon.

The festivities begin with the building of huge bonfires in the evening. As per tradition, Rama and Sita traverse the streets of the city in a chariot and circles around the burning effigy of Ravana and his brother Kumbhkaran before setting it ablaze. The burning of the effigy is accompanied by cheers and fireworks and marks the victory of Rama over Ravana.

Geographical Spread

Dussehra is celebrated across South Asia and parts of Southeast Asia. In India, the festival marks the beginning of the popular autumn harvest season. In Nepal, Dussehra is known as “Dashain”, and is celebrated over the course of 15 days during which there are a variety of festivities and rituals.

In Pakistan, the occasion is marked as “Navroz” and is seen primarily as a celebration of the New Year. In divisions of Malaysia and Indonesia, Dussehra is popular as a cultural festival.

Modern day Observations

In modern times, Dussehra has evolved to include various cultural activities and performances, such as Ramlila (dramatic reenactments of the Ramayana), street plays, music, dance and more.

In India, there are large-scale parades and special programs on television that are watched by millions of people. During the night, devotees gather for special prayers and bhajans (religious hymns).

In recent times, cities and towns organize special Dussehra fireworks display that are enjoyed by thousands of people.

Interesting Facts and Trivia

• During Dussehra, Lord Rama is honored primarily in South India, while in some parts of North India, the festival honors Goddess Durga.

•In Mysore, it is common for the goddess Chamundeswari to be celebrated during Dussehra.

•In some states, such as Kerala, Dussehra is celebrated as Onam and people light lamps in the evening to signify victory of light over darkness.

•In some parts of India, a few days before the festival, married women dress up as Goddess Durga and perform a puja, known as “Kumari Puja”.

Conclusion

Dussehra is a grand celebration of joy and colors. It is not only a cultural event but also has spiritual and religious significance attached with it. This popular holiday marks the victory of good over evil and reminds everyone to stay united in the face of adversity. Across the Indian subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia, Dussehra is celebrated with pomp and grandeur by millions of people.

How to Say "Dussehra" In Different Languages?