DUSSEHRA -TRIUMPH OF GOOD OVER EVIL

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DUSSEHRA -TRIUMPH OF GOOD OVER EVIL

 

Dussehra or Dassera is a popular festival celebrated by Hindus all

over India, albeit with different names. It is also known as

Vijayadashmi ('Vijay' meaning 'victory' and 'Dashmi meaning 'tenth

day) as it is believed that it was on this day that Lord Rama killed

the demon-king, Ravana and won over Lanka, his kingdom. In other

words, it signifies the triumph of good over evil. The legendary

triumph is reenacted to the day. Huge effigies of Ravana, his giant

brother Kumbhkarna and son Meghnad are placed in vast open grounds.

Fireworks and crackers are placed inside these and actor dressed as

Rama, his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana enact the final moments of

the battle. The character playing Rama then shoots an arrow with a

flaming tip at the effigies from a safe distance and the crowd bursts

up in cheer as the crackers catch fire. The enthusiasm and the cheers

sometimes even drown the deafening blast. Merriment ensues as people

indulge themselves in fairs and games, dance and music.

 

However, Bengalis celebrate this festival as a part of their main

festival Durga Puja. This day marks the end of Durga Punja

celebration, the fiest nine being collectively referred to

as 'Navratri'. The festival is dedicated to Mother Goddess Shakti who

incarnated in the form of Goddess Durga, a combined manifestation of

the divine energies of the Holy Trinity - Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh

and all the other devatas, when they summoned her to kill the mighty

demon known as Mahishasur and free the world from his terror. On this

day, the idols of Goddess Durga are finally immersed into water after

the nine days of festivities. It is said that the people of the earth

here adopted Durga as the daughter and thus, she visits the home of

her parents every year during the last four days of Navratri along

with her sons Ganesha and Kartikeya and daughters Lakshmi and

Saraswati. She finally leaves for her husband's place on the

Vijayadashmi day.

 

Dussehera 2007

 

Dussehera will fall on 21st October in Year 2007.

 

 

http://festivals.iloveindia.com/dussehra/