2016 Dussehra Festival, Dasara, Vijayadashami 2016 Puja Date Time

Dussehra or Vijayadashami 2016 = 11th October (Tuesday)

The Hindu festival ‘Dussehra’ which is also known by the name of ‘Vijayadashami’, ‘Dasara’ or ‘Dashain’ as per Indian state. On this day Indian Government declare a gazetted holiday and marked as 10th day of the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the month of Ashvin (Ashwayuja), in pursuance of Hindu calendar.

Dussehra or Vijayadashami – A symbol of the Victory of the Good over Evil

With the start of Ashwin month (October - November), In India, there is fervor of divinity and enthusiasm. Vijayadashami is one of the most famous Hindu festivals that falls on the Tenth day of this month and celebrated with great zeal. This festival is celebrated to commemorate to honor of Rama.

Stories Behind Dussehra

As per Hindu Mythology, there was a king Ravana who had a sister named Surpankha. One day, She was going through a forest and suddenly met two charming prince of Ayodhya, named as Rama and his brother Lakshmana. Surpankha was attracted towards them and proposed both. Unfortunately, both rejected her proposal. Surpankha still kept on insisting them, raged Lakshmana smashed her nose. After feeling insult, Surpankha went to his brother Ravana, king of Lanka. He assured his sister that he would take revenge. After that he went to forest with his friend Marisha. Marisha disguised him as the ‘Golden Deer’. The wife of Rama, Sita insisted her husband to catch that deer. Rama went deep in the forest behind the Golden deer. When Golden deer was dying, he called for help in Rama’s voice. Sita heard and ordered Lakshmana to help his brother. Lakshmana had no choice and had to left after demarcating a line around the hut. He said to Sita that she would be safe on remaining inside within that demarcation. At the same time, Ravana came outside the hut. He came there in a form of sage and asked Sita to serve some food. To serve the food, she had to come out that demarcation. Ravana kidnapped Sita. Rama and Lakshmana came back to hut and searched Sita everywhere but could not find her. They met Hanuman, who helped then in search of Sita. He searched Sita and gave news that Sita was in Lanka of Ravana. 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 planned for the fire battle to destroy Lanka and fought for Nine days with army of Ravana. During the battle, Ravana’s brother Kumbhakarna and son Meghanath died. On the Tenth day, Rama worshiped Aparajita before going on fight with Ravana. In the battle, Rama slayed ten heads of Ravana. Since then, this day is celebrated as Dussehra every year. The events Rama Lila were played for nine days before Dussehra and on tenth day the effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkarana and Meghnataha were burnt at various places.

The honor of Durga in different places

At some places, Durga Puja is performed because according to Durga Mahatmaya, the Goddess Durga had the fierce battle with demon Mahishasura for nine days and killed him on tenth day. That is the day of Dussehra or Vijayadashami.

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 her matrimonial house, habitancy of Shiva, Mount Kailasha. Since then, the idols of Durga are immersed in water.

Symbols of Dussehra and Maha Navami

The symbols seen throughout Dussehra or Vijayadashami celebrations include:

1 – Bonfires and fireworks.
2 – Paper and Wood effigies of Ravana.
3 – Red spots(tika) painted on people’s foreheads.

Keep your reading Continue on VIJAYADASHAMI in India.