Dussehra Festival
Dasara is one of the major Hindu festivals celebrated in India and also celebrated
in few other countries like Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka etc.
Dasara is also known as Vijayadashami, Dashahara, Dussehra, Dashain (in Nepal),
Navratri and Durgotsav. This festival of Dasara falls in the month of September
or October.
There are two significant stories behind celebration of Dussehra festival. One story
is associated with Lord Rama’s victory over 10 headed demon king Ravana and other
goddess Durga’s victory over demon Mahishasur. Read below to know more about the
significance and celebration of Dasara festival.
Significance of Dussehra Festival
The name Dussehra is derived from Sanskrit “Dasha-hara” referring to Lord Rama's
victory over the 10 headed demon king Ravana. According to Hindu religion, on this
day in the Treta Yug(second out of four yugas), Lord Shri Rama, the seventh avatar
of Vishnu, killed the great demon king Ravana who had abducted Rama's wife Sita
to his kingdom of Lanka (now know as Sri lanka). Lord Rama along with his brother
Lakshmana, Rama’s follower Hanuman and an army of monkeys fought a great battle
to rescue Sita.
Dasha-hara in Sanskrit also mean “removal of 10” bad qualities, which are represented
by 10 heads of Ravana as mentioned below.
1. Kama vasana (Lust)
2. Krodha (Anger)
3. Moha (Attachment)
4. Lobha (Greed)
5. Mada (Over Pride)
6. Matsara (Jealousy)
7. Swartha (Selfishness)
8. Anyaaya (Injustice)
9. Amanavta (Cruelty)
10. Ahankara (Ego).
This day also marks the defeat of demon Mahishasura (born as half man and half buffalo)
who had obtained a boon from Lord Brahma that no man can kill him. He had gathered
a large demon army to win the heavens and a rigorous battle began in the heaven
but the army of God’s failed to kill Mahishasur's army.
A very powerful rays of lightning emerged from the mouths of Lord Brahma, Vishnu
and Shiva the combined rays of light took shape of a woman, all God’s gave her there
strong weapons and thus goddess Durga was born and defeated Mahishasura. Goddess
fought with evils for 9 nights and 10 days. The name Vijayadashami is derived from
the Sanskrit words "Vijaya-dashami" meaning the victory on the dashami (Dashmi being
the tenth lunar day of the Hindu calendar month).
Dussehra Celebration in various parts of India.
Each region of the country has its own specialty in the celebrations. While at some
places people engage in dance every night of the Navratri, some people do Ravan
Dahan and some places people participate in Ramleela (play based on Ramayana). Feasting
and busting crackers is also done during Dusshera celebrations. Mysore Dusshera
is well known for the grand and magnificent celebration.
Dussehra symbolizes the victory of good over evil. It is thus considered as an auspicious
day. It is said that this day also symbolizes as the victory of ‘mankind’.
My take from this great stories of Lord Rama and Goddess Durga is good always has
the victory over bad and 2nd point is even the Gods had the tough time to fight
the evil but they fought till the victory. Similarly even in our lives we come across
challenges, we need to fight and be victorious and I believe God has given all the
power to over come the challenges.
Happy Dasara to one and all. Feel free to like, share and comment :)