Vijayadasami

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Vijayadasami or Dassera is celebrated on the 10th day of bright half of the Hindu month of Ashwina. It is considered to be a most auspicious day to begin new things in life.

In South India and Western India, Vijayadasami commemorates the legend on which Goddess Durga vanquishes the demon Mahishasura, an event that is said to have taken place in the vicinity of the present day city of Mysore in Karnataka.

 

In North India, the same ten day festival commemorates the victory of Rama, prince of Ayodhya in present day Uttar Pradesh, over Ravana, the ruler of Lanka.

 

There is another little known legend associated with the festival, one associated with Mahabharata. Pandavas underwent a period of exile, being 12 years of dwelling in the forest followed by a year of exile in cognito. Disguise being indispensable during the latter period, Pandavas found it necessary to lay aside for the length of that year, the many divine and distinctive weapons that they possessed. Then they secreted in a 'shami' tree in the vicinity of their chosen place of incognito residence. At the end of the year they returned to the spot for their weapons intact and worshiped in thanksgiving both the shami tree and the Goddess Durga, the presiding deity of strength and victory.

 

Meanwhile the Kauravas had invaded the area, suspecting the residence of Pandavas there. Upon finishing their devotion, Pandavas made straight to battle and won the contest comprehensively. That day they won was known as Vijayadasami. Vijaya in Sanskrit word for victory.

Durga came to earth from Kailash, the abode of Siva for 9 days to be with her parents and on the 10th day of Vijayadasami leaves from her maternal home to her husband's abode to Kailash on this day.

The main significance of Vijayadasami is victory of the good over the evil.

 

Om Sai Ram

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