Dussehra is a Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil. Celebrated right after Navratri, the festival of Dussehra is also known as Vijayadashami. The festival is mainly celebrated by the people in the northern parts of India.
The word Dussehra is formed by the words ‘dasha’ which means ten and ‘hara’ that means defeat. This festival celebrates the defeat of the one with the ten heads ie, Ravana – considered to be an embodiment of evil in the the Hindu scripture of Ramayana.
Dussehra 2019: Date
Dussehra is celebrated on the Dashmi or the tenth day of Shukla Paksha in the Ashvin month of Hindu calendar. This year, the festival of Dussehra will be celebrated on 8 October.
Effigies of Ravana, Meghanada and Kumbhakarna are burnt on this day marking the end of evil. Huge fairs are organised across the country.
Dussehra: Significance
Ravana, the king of Lanka, had kidnapped Sita by deceit. She was kept in the Ashok Vatika to suffer. Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, finally managed to kill Ravana on this day. Sita was rescued and they all began their journey to Ayodhaya. The day when Rama returned i.e., Diwali, is celebrated twenty days after the festival of Dussehra.
There is another legend related to the celebration of Vijayadashami or Dussehra. It is believed that Goddess Durga fought a long battle against a demon called Mahishasur. It continued till nine days (which are now celebrated is Navratri) and on the tenth day he was killed by Goddess Durga.
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