Dussehra - signify the victory of the good over evil
In India with the start of Ashwin month (Oct-Nov), there is the fervor of divinity and enthusiasm. Dussehra is one of the famous Hindu festivals that falls on the tenth day of this Month. It is commemorated in the honor of Rama.
Legend behind Dussehra
According to Hindu mythology, there was the king Ravana, who had the sister named Surpanakha. One day she was going through the forest and met exiled prince of Ayodhya, Rama and his brother Lakshmana. Surpanakha proposed both of them. Unfortunately, both denied. Surpanakha still kept on insisting them, raged Laksmana smashed her nose. Insulted Surpanakha went to his brother Ravana, king of Lanka. He assured his sister that he would take revenge. He went in the forest with his friend Marisha. Marisha disguised as the ‘Golden Deer’. Rama’s wife Sita insisted her husband to get that deer. He went deep in the forest to kill that deer. When golden deer was dying, he called for help in Rama’s voice. Sita heard and ordered Lakshmana to help his brother. He had no choice and had to left after demarcating the hut with a line. He said to Sita that she would be safe if she would remain within that demarcation. Meanwhile, Ravana came outside the hut. He disguised as sage and asked Sita to serve him food. She had to come out of that demarcation. Ravana abducted Sita. Rama and Lakshmana returned to a hut, and they searched Sita everywhere but could not find her. They met Hanuman, who helped to search Sita. He gave them the news that Sita was in Lanka. Rama went there with Lakshmana along with the army of monkeys and other animals of which prominent were Sugriva along with Hanuman, Angada, Nala, Neela, and Jambavantha. They had the fierce battle for nine days with the Ravana’s Army. During battle Ravana’s brother, Kumbhakarna and son Meghnath died. On the tenth day, Rama worshiped Aparajita before going to the battle with Ravana. In the battle, Rama slayed ten heads of Ravana. Since then this day is celebrated as Dussehra every year. Ram Lila was played for nine days before Dussehra and on the tenth-day effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnath were burnt at various places. Many people worship Aparajita and Shami tree or Ashmantak tree.
Many places it is commemorated in the honor of Durga.
According Durga Mahtmaya Durga has the fierce battle with Demon Mahisasura for nine days and killed him on the tenth day i.e. on the day Dussehra or Vijay Dashmi.
In Bengal and many other places it is believed that Durga came on earth and stayed in her parental house for nine days and on the tenth day she returned to her matrimonial home, abode of Shiva, Mt. kalasha. Since then idols of Durga are immersed in water.
In states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala, Dusshera holds special meaning. The day is considered a most auspicious day for commencing education or dance and music... Read More
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