Dusshera is typically associated with the victory of Lord Ram over Ravana. The festival is celebrated for different reasons. There are various facts and stories related to the festival which celebrates the victory of good over evil. The festival is celebrated with different traditions in the country.
Unique Celebrations of Kullu Dussehra
In Himachal Pradesh, the festival is celebrated as Kullu Dussehra. The celebration is held in Dhalpur maidan in Kullu.
Dussehra Celebrations outside India
Dussehra is also celebrated in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Malaysia. Dussehra is a national holiday in Malaysia.
Reason for Burning Effigies
Each of the ten heads of Ravana stands for an evil; Kama, Krodha, Moha, Lobh, Mada, Swarth, Matsara, Ahankara, Amanavta, and Anyaya. The burning effigies of Ravana symbolizes destruction of these 10 evils.
Why Ravana is Worshipped?
Ravana is worshipped for devotion to Lord Shiva in 6 places. Mandsaur (Madhya Pradesh), Kangra (Himachal Pradesh), Gadchiroli (Maharashtra), Bisrakh (Uttar Pradesh), Mandya and Kolar (Karnataka) and Jodhpur (Rajasthan).
Worshipping the Shami Tree
The day also marks the homecoming of Pandavas from a 13-year exile. It was on the holy day of Vijaydashmi, Pandavas retrieved their weapons and worshipped the Shami tree.
Origin of Dussehra
Dussehra is the combination of the word “Dash+Hara” which means “The Sun will not rise”. The mythological belief is that the sun would not have risen had Lord Ram not defeated Ravan.
Arrival of winters
Dussehra marks the end of monsoon season and the start of winters. There is also a change in agriculture crops, farmers start to harvest the Kharif crops.
Dussehra in Buddhism
Buddhists celebrate this day as Ashok Vijayadashmi. It is believed that King Ashoka converted to Buddhism on this day.
Origin of Shakti
To kill the demon king Mahishasura, the three lords Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh merged their powers to create goddess Shakti. The goddess fought for nine days and killed Mahishasura on the tenth day.
Why eat vegetarian during Navratra
It is a mythological belief that Goddess Durga visits her mother on earth during Durga Puja and returns to lord Shiva on Dussehra. That is why some people eat vegetarian during the festival.
Dussehra is one of the most widely celebrated festivals. The celebrations signify the cultural diversity of India. It is the time when the festival spirit is high with Dussehra offers that make celebrations more fun.
