Dussehra

Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is a major Hindu festival celebrated at the end of the Navaratri period. It marks the triumph of good over evil and is observed on the tenth day of the Hindu calendar month of Ashvin.

The festival holds great significance in Hindu mythology and culture, with various regional traditions and interpretations. One of the most famous legends associated with Dussehra is the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana, as recounted in the Hindu epic, the Ramayana.

The festival holds great significance in Hindu mythology and culture, with various regional traditions and interpretations. One of the most famous legends associated with Dussehra is the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana, as recounted in the Hindu epic, the Ramayana.

The story goes that Lord Rama, along with his wife Sita and his loyal companion Hanuman, waged a battle against Ravana to rescue Sita, who had been abducted by the demon king. After a fierce battle that lasted for fourteen days, Rama ultimately defeated Ravana on the tenth day, which is celebrated as Dussehra.

The festival is observed with grand processions, theatrical performances, and reenactments of the Ramayana across India. In many places, effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhakarna, and his son Meghnad are erected in public spaces. These effigies are then set ablaze, symbolizing the victory of good over evil and the destruction of the forces of darkness.

Apart from the Ramayana, Dussehra is also associated with the worship of Goddess Durga in some regions, particularly in the eastern parts of India. In these areas, Dussehra coincides with the conclusion of Durga Puja, a multi-day festival dedicated to the worship of the goddess and the celebration of her victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura.

In addition to its religious and mythological significance, Dussehra is a time for family gatherings, feasting, and cultural festivities. It brings people together to celebrate the values of righteousness, courage, and perseverance embodied by Lord Rama and other revered figures in Hindu mythology.