Dussehra

Dussehra(IAST: Vijayadaśamī, pronounced [ʋɪʝəjəðəʃmɪ]]) also known as Vijayadashami, Dasahara, Dusshera, Dasara, Dussehra or Dashain is a major Hindu festival celebrated at the end of Navratri every year. It is observed on the tenth day in the Hindu calendar month of Ashvin, the seventh month of the Hindu Luni-Solar Calendar, which typically falls in the Gregorian months of September and October.

Vijayadashami is observed for different reasons and celebrated differently in various parts of the Indian subcontinent.In the southern, eastern and northeastern states of India, Vijayadashami marks the end of Durga Puja, remembering goddess Durga's victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura to help restore dharma. In the northern and western states, the festival is synonymously called Dussehra (also spelled Dasara, Dashahara). In these regions, it marks the end of "Ramlila" and remembers God Rama's victory over the Ravana. On the very same occasion; Arjuna alone defeated entire Kaurava army consisting of 100,000s of soldiers, Bhishma, Drona, Karna, Ashwatthama, Kripa, Duryodhana, Dushyasana, Shakuni etc. - there by significantly quoting a natural example of victory of Good (Dharma) over evil (Adharma). Alternatively it marks a reverence for one of the aspects of goddess Devi such as Durga or Saraswati.

                  

1.How Dussehra is celebrated across india.

In north India, Dussehra celebrations include burning huge effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhakaran and his son Meghnad. This is done in order to signify Lord Rama's victory and also the victory of good over evil. Another significant part of Dussehra celebrations is Ram Lilas. Ram Lilas begin some days before Dussehra. People gather in huge numbers to witness plays, musicals and skits revolving around some of the most memorable episodes from Hindu epic Ramayana.

Vijayadasami is celebrated in a variety of ways in South India.[better source needed] Celebrations range from worshipping Durga, lighting up temples and major forts such as at Mysore, to displaying colorful figurines, known as a golu.

The festival played a historical role in the 14th-century Vijayanagara Empire, where it was called Mahanavami. The Italian traveller Niccolò de' Conti described the festival's intensity and importance as a grandeur religious and martial event with royal support. The event revered Durga as the warrior goddess (some texts refer to her as Chamundeshwari). The celebrations hosted athletic competitions, singing and dancing, fireworks, a pageantry military parade and charitable giving to the public.

     

The city of Mysore has traditionally been a major center of Dasara-Vijayadashami celebrations.

Another significant and notable tradition of several South Indian regions has been the dedication of this festival to Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge, learning, music and arts. She is worshipped, along with instruments of one's trade during this festival. In South India, people maintain, clean and worship their instruments, tools of work and implements of their livelihood during this festival, remembering Goddess Saraswati and Durga.

Kids aged 3-4, who are new to school, are admitted to school on Viajayadasami Day.

In Maharashtra, the deities installed on the first day of Navratri are immersed in water. Observers visit each other and exchange sweets.

Colorful floor patterns to mark Vijayadashami.

The festival has been historically important in Maharashtra. Shivaji, who challenged the Mughal Empire in the 17th-century and created a Hindu kingdom in western and central India, would deploy his soldiers to assist farmers in cropping lands and providing adequate irrigation to guarantee food supplies. Post monsoons, on Vijayadashami, these soldiers would leave their villages and reassemble to serve in the military, re-arm and obtain their deployment orders, then proceed to the frontiers for active duty.

2.Dussehra celebration

Conventionally, in Indian culture, Dussehra has always been full of various performances, eating and merry-making; it’s the occasion when the entire community come together in order to enjoy the festive mood. People buy new clothes, go out to visit friends and family members, exchange gifts, etc. Giant rides are erected in the Ramlila ground where stories from the epic Ramayana are been enacted through various dramas and plays. On the 10th day, large dummies of Ravana, Kumbhakarana and Meghnaath get burnt signifying the destruction of evils. The festival Dussehra is of huge cultural significance for Hindus; but it has become a matter of celebration for everyone now irrespective of caste, creed, religion, etc. Dussehra has a great lesson to learn for everyone and thus it should be celebrated with great fervour, gaiety and love.

3. What Do People Do?

Many people of the Hindu faith observe Dussehra through special prayer meetings and food offerings to the gods at home or in temples throughout India. They also hold outdoor fairs (melas) and large parades with effigies of Ravana (a mythical king of ancient Sri Lanka). The effigies are burnt on bonfires in the evening. Dussehra is the culmination of the Navaratri festival.

There are many local celebrations in some areas in India that can last for up to 10 days. Local events include:

Performances of the Ramlila (a short version of the epic Ramayana) in Northern India.

A large festival and procession including the goddess Chamundeshwari on a throne mounted on elephants in the town of Mysore in the state of Karnataka.

The blessing of household and work-related tools, such as books, computers, cooking pans and vehicles in the state of Karnataka.

The preparation of special foods, including luchi (deep fried flat bread) and alur dom (deep fried spiced potato snacks), in Bengal.

Many Hindus also believe that it is lucky to start a new venture, project or journey on Dussehra. They may also exchange gifts of leaves from the Shami tree (Prosopis spicigera) as a symbol of the story of the Pandavas brothers' exile in the Mahabharata stories.

Dussehra is celebrated in various schools and learning centres too. The festival symbolises victory, determination, will-power, faith and unity. It is important that every child knows the significance of Dussehra festival in order to align themselves to the age-old culture and tradition and also realize the importance of good forces and deriving the courage to stand up against the evil doers.

4.Dussehra/Vijaydashami Pooja Timings:

Dashami Tithi begins at 15:28 on October 18, 2018 (Thursday) and ends at 17:57 on October 19, 2018 (Friday)

Vijay Muhurat is from 2.18 PM to 3.04 PM on October 19.