Dussehra is the festival of
victory of goodness over evil. Dussehra is celebrated on the 10th
day of month of Ashwin. Dussehra is celebrated for 10 days from September end
to early October. It has special significance in Mysore. In some other parts of
the country it is celebrated as Vijaya Dashmi. In kerala thousands of small
children are initiated to learning by making them write the first letter in
rice with their finger.
There are two stories about
Dussera.
One of it says that Goddess Durga became victorious over Mahishasura
on this day. As per second story Lord Rama, the 7th incarnation of
Lord Vishnu became victorious over demon Ravana on this day. It is celebrated
to mark the defeat of Ravana by Lord Rama. Dussehra also symbolizes the triumph
of worrior Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon, Mahishasura.
In North India, episodes
from Ramayana are staged in the form of Ramlila in connection with Dussehra
celebrations. Big effigies of demon Ravana filled with crackers are installed
on the ground. Effigies of Kumbhakarna, brother of Ravana and Meghanath are
also placed. They will be burnt in the evening as a symbol of victory of Rama
over Demons.
It is celebrated with great
fanfare in Kullu, Varanasi, Mysore, and in West Bengal it is slightly different
as Durga puja. In Tamil Nadu, the first three days are dedicated to the worship
of Lakshmi.
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