Dussehra Rituals

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Dussehra Rituals

 

Worship of the Goddess is the oldest tradition, signifying the female

deity's supremacy over the male Gods who are unable to destroy the

demon.

 

The worship of Durga Mata has also social implications. As Goddess

of war, she is a particular favourite of the Kshatriyas, the warrior

caste, once constituting the ruling elite and aristocracy.

 

During this time people decorate the entrance of their houses with

torans, and flower studded strings. The leaves of the Apta tree are

collected and exchanged among friends and relatives as gold.

 

Dussehra Puja in India varies from place to place and is influenced

by local myth and religious beliefs.

 

The festival is also celebrated with intense fervour and zest, in

West Bengal. The vibrant festivities last for ten days, of which nine

nights are spent in worship, 'Navaratri'.

 

The tenth day is devoted to the worship of goddess Durga, who

occupies a special position in the Hindu pantheon of gods and

goddesses. She is 'Shakti', the cosmic energy that animates all

beings. Beautiful idols of the Mother Goddess are worshipped in

elaborate pandals for nine days, and on the ninth day, these are

carried out in procession for immersion (visarjan) in a river or pond.

 

 

Celebrations

 

In Himachal Pradesh, a week long fair in the hill town of Kullu, is

part of the Dussehra celebrations. From the little temples in the

hills, deities are brought in procession to the 'maidan' in Kullu, to

pay homage to the reigning deity, Raghunathji. The celebration

actually begins nearly 10 days in advance as per tradition.

 

In Mysore, Karnataka the Mysore palace is illuminated for a whole

month during Dussehra and caparisoned elephants lead a colourful

procession through the gaily-decorated streets of the city. It is the

most colourful celebration of Dussehra in world. The spectacular

procession taken out on this day is really enjoyable.

 

In Tamil Nadu, the first three days are dedicated to the worship of

Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth and prosperity, the next three days to

Saraswati, Goddess of learning and arts and the last three days to

Shakti (Durga).

 

In Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, families arrange dolls

(Bommai Kolu) on artificially constructed steps and prepare an

elaborate spread of lamps and flowers. Women traditionally exchange

gifts of coconuts, clothes and sweets.

 

 

The whole set up is put on the very first day of Navaratri. Vijaya

Dashamiy is an auspicious occasion for children to commence their

education in classical dance and music, and to pay homage to their

teachers.

 

In Punjab, Navaratri is taken as a period of fasting. In Gujarat, the

evenings and nights are occasions for the fascinating Garba dance.

The women dance around an earthen lamp while singing devotional songs

accompanied by rhythmic clapping of hands.

 

In northern India, the festival wears the colourful garb of Ramlila

wherein various incidents from Rama's life are enacted. Ramlila draws

large number of people every year. The entire night of Dussehra

passes in an enthusiastic and enchanting fair like ambience and

people enjoy every bit of it. After Dussehra, the excitement of the

Diwali grips the whole of India.

 

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