Dussehra; A Brief Knowledge Behind the Story of Vijayadashami Festival

This festival is the worship of bravery, worship of bravery of Indian culture. Dussehra, which is celebrated on Ashwin Shukla Dashami, is a major festival of Hindus. The festival of Dussehra has been kept so that valor is manifested in the blood of the individual and the society.

"dahan putalon ka hee nahin
bure vichaaron ka bhee karana hoga
shree raam ka krke smaran
har raavan se ladana hoga
happy dussehra 2021"

The victory of truth over falsehood - Lord Rama killed Ravana on this day. It is celebrated because of the success of truth over falsehood. That's why this Dashami is understood as Vijayadashami. Dussehra is one of the three most important dates of the year, the other two being Chaitra Shukla and Kartik Shukla's Pratipada. On this day people start new work, on this day weapon worship, vehicle worship is done.

In ancient times, kings used to pray for victory on this day and go for the Rann Yatra. The festival of Dussehra inspires us to give up the ten types of sins- lust, anger, greed, attachment, matter, ego, laziness, violence, and theft.

Origin of the word Dussehra- The word Dussehra or Dussehra is composed of 'Dash' (ten) and 'ego'. Many hypotheses have been made about the origin of the Dussehra festival. Some people believe that it is a festival of agriculture. Dussehra also has a cultural aspect.

India is an agricultural country- When a farmer brings home the wealth of food grains after growing a golden crop in his field, then we know no place for his gaiety and ecstasy. On this joyous occasion, he acknowledges the grace of God and worships him to manifest it. So according to the opinion of some people, it is a sign of Rann Yatra, because, at the time of Dussehra the rains end, the flood of rivers stops, the paddy, etc.

This festival is also related to Navratri because this festival takes place only after Navratri and it also mentions the courageous actions of the goddess against Mahishasura. Dussehra or Vijaya Dashami is well known on the tenth day of Navratri. On this day Rama killed Ravana.

Battle of Rama and Ravana - Ravana kidnapped Lord Rama's wife Goddess Sita and took her to Lanka. Lord Rama was a devotee of Goddess Durga, the goddess of war, he worshiped Goddess Durga for the first nine days during the war and killed the evil Ravana on the tenth day. Hence Vijayadashami is a very important day. This festival is called 'Vijayadashami', symbolizing the victory of Rama.

Fairs on Dussehra Festival- Big fairs are organized from place to place to celebrate the Dussehra festival. People return here with their family, friends and revel in the fair below the open sky. Various items, from bangles to toys and clothes are sold at the fair.

Ramlila and Ravana slaughter- Ramlila is also organized now. A huge effigy of Ravana is made and burnt. Dussehra or Vijayadashami is celebrated as the victory of Lord Rama or as Durga Puja, in both forms, it is a festival of power-worship, weapon worship, joy, gaiety, and victory. Ravana slaughter is performed at various places in Ramlila.

Celebration of the symbol of Shakti- The festival of worship of Shakti has been celebrated since time immemorial with the devotion of nine nakshatras, nine nakshatras, nine nakshatras, from pratipada to Navami. On this occasion, people worship different forms of Jagadamba for nine days of Navratri and wish to remain powerful. Indian culture has always been a supporter of valor and bravery.  The festival of Dussehra is also a competition celebrated as a symbol of power.

The victory of good over evil- On this day weapons are worshiped at the place of Kshatriyas. On this present day effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhakarna and his son Meghnad are burnt. Artists assume the form of Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana and shoot these effigies with fire arrows which are filled with firecrackers. As soon as the effigy is on fire, it starts burning with smoke and the firecrackers in it start bursting and that ends it. This competition also signifies the success of good over evil.

“buraee ka hota hai vinaash, dashahara laata hai ummeed kee aas, raavan kee tarah aapake dukhon ka ho naash, yahee hamaaree vijayadashamee kee shubhkamnaayen.”