Significance and Story of Dusshera

Dusshera, also known as Vijayadashami, is a major Hindu festival celebrated at the end of Navratri every year. It is celebrated on the tenth day of the Hindu lunar month of Ashvin, which falls in September or October according to the Gregorian calendar. The festival symbolizes the victory of good over evil, and is celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervor across India and other parts of the world.

The story behind Dusshera dates back to ancient Hindu mythology. According to the legend, the demon king Ravana had abducted Sita, the wife of Lord Rama. Lord Rama, along with his brother Lakshmana and the monkey god Hanuman, waged a war against Ravana to rescue Sita. After a fierce battle that lasted for ten days, Lord Rama finally defeated Ravana on the tenth day, which is celebrated as Dusshera.

The festival also marks the end of Navratri, which is a nine-day festival dedicated to the worship of the Hindu goddess Durga. Each day of Navratri is dedicated to a different form of the goddess, and the festival culminates with the worship of Durga on the tenth day, which is also celebrated as Dusshera.

How Dusshera is Celebrated

Dusshera is celebrated with great pomp and show across India and other parts of the world. The festival is marked by the burning of effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhakarna, and his son Meghnad, which symbolizes the victory of good over evil. The effigies are filled with firecrackers and set ablaze, which is a spectacular sight to behold.

People also perform the traditional dance of Dandiya and Garba during Navratri, which is a form of folk dance that originated in Gujarat. The dance is performed in circles around a lamp or an idol of the goddess Durga, and is accompanied by music and singing.

Another important aspect of Dusshera is the exchange of sweets and gifts among friends and family members. People also decorate their homes with flowers and lights, and visit temples to offer prayers to the goddess Durga and seek her blessings.