Dussehra Celebrations

Dussehra is the culmination of Navaratis in India. Popularly known as Vijayadashmi, Dussehra is celebrated with
great enthusiasm, all over India. It is observed differently in different parts of the country, depending upon the legend
that is followed in each region. In North India, Ramlila forms the highlight of Dusshera, while in south India, it is the
triumph of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura that is celebrated. Eastern state of West Bengal has its own story
connected to the festival, while in Mysore the concept of Shami tree is centered. Learn about the celebrations of
Dussehra
in
different
parts
of
India,
by
going
through
the
following
lines.
Dusshera

Celebrations

In

India

In
North
India
Ramlila is the backbone of the celebration of
Dusshera in northern India, where the scenes
from Rama's life are depicted, especially Bharat
Milap, the reunion of Rama with his brother
Bharat, the destruction of Ravana (the highlight of
Dussehra) and the return of Rama, Lakshmana
and Sita to Ayodhya, their kingdom after fourteen
years of exile. In Himachal Pradesh's Kulu valley,
the very ceremonial festivities and grand
processions of the village deities of the hill people
marks
Dussehra.
In Delhi and nearby states, oversized effigies of
Ravana, Meghnath and Kumbhkaran are burnt in
Ramlila, a mela that is organized by different
committees, at huge grounds. It is a week long
affair in the hill town of Kullu, in Himachal
Pradesh. Deities are brought in process to
'maidan' in Kullu, to pay respect to the reigning
deity of the place - Raghunathji. The huge
procession consists of more than hundred deities
that are mounted on the colorful palanquins.
Ramlila is the next major attraction of Kullu
Dusshera.
In
South
India
In Tamil Nadu, the nine days preceding Dussehra
have been equally divided for worshipping the
three Goddesses namely Lakshmi (the first three
days are dedicated to the Goddess of wealth and
prosperity), Saraswati (the next three days are
dedicated to the Goddess of learning and arts)
and Durga (the last three days are dedicated to Mother Goddess, Shakti). The women and children of Tamil Nadu,
Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka arrange small statues and dolls, known as 'Bommai Kolu', on artificial steps and
decorate
the
steps
and
the
nearby
place
with
beautiful
lamps
and
flowers.
From the very first day of the festival, songs and stories form a part of the celebration and a dish made out of
chickpeas known as 'choondal' is made for the dolls as prasad to relish on. Vijayadashmi is the day when the
Bommai Kolu is taken down ceremoniously. On the day of Vijayadashami, vidya aarambh (vidyaarambam) is
observed. The day is considered very auspicious, especially for the children to begin their education in academics as
well as art. Saraswati puja is done on Vijayadashami. A similar tradition can be seen in Kerala as well.

Mysore is famous for a gala procession of richly bedecked elephants on the brightly lit streets of the city on Dussehra.
In Mysore, effigies of Ravana, Meghnath and Kumbhkaran are burnt. The Mysore palace is illuminated for a whole
month during the festive season of Dussehra. Caparisoned elephants lead a colorful procession through the vibrantly
decorated streets of the princely city. In Andhra Pradesh, Dussehra is popularly referred to as Dasara.
In
East
India
In the eastern state of West Bengal, Vijayadashmi is celebrated as the victory of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura,
the demon who ruled the swarglok and the earth with his invincible power. It is the last day of the ten-day festival Durga Puja. On Vijayadashmi, the idol of Ma Durga is immersed in the nearby river or lake ceremoniously, by the
devotees. This is called visarjan (submersion of diety). The idol is preceded by a huge procession of devotees. In
Orissa, the festival is called Vijoya Dashami. The day is considered the last day of the Sharodiya Durga Puja. After
offering the last ritual (Aparajita Puja) to the Goddess, a tearful farewell is bid to her. The immersion of diety is known
as 'Bisarjan Jatra'. After immersing the idol, people in Orissa celebrate 'Ravan Podi', wherein the effigies of demon
Ravana
are
burnt.
In
West
India
In Maharashtra, Dussehra is celebrated on the tenth day of the Ashwin month, as per the Shaka Hindu Calendar. On
the last day of Navratri, that is Dussehra, the idols installed on the first day of Navratri are immersed in water.
Dussehra marks the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana. People celebrate the occasion with fun and fervor. They visit
their friends and relatives and exchange sweets. Aapta tree is worshipped on this day. Exchange of leaves of aapta
tree is considered auspicious. The legend of Shami tree, under which the Pandavas of Mahabharata stored their
weapons during their 12 years of exile, is associated with the celebrations. As per the legend, the weapons were
retrieved by them on this day. Dussehra is considered auspicious to start any new venture, according to the
Maharashtrians.

Significance of Dussehra
Dussehra is one of the major Hindu festivals of India. It is celebrated throughout the country with great zeal and
enthusiasm. People all over the country participate in the occasion in their own way. It is the day when Lord Rama
killed the ten headed demon king Ravana and gave the throne of his kingdom Lanka to his brother Vibhishana. Since
that day, the day of Vijaya Dashmi is considered to be auspicious and festive by the people of India and is celebrated
as
the
day
that
symbolizes
the
victory
of
Good
over
Evil.
People throughout the country celebrate the
occasion in their own way. The Dusshera of
Mysore is very famous in terms of grandeur and
splendor. Each region of the country has its own specialty in the celebrations. While at some places people engage in
public processions, at some places people participate in Ram Lila and some people organize Ravan Dahan in the
city. Feasting and busting crackers are also an important feature of the Dusshera celebrations. At many places in the
country,
colorful
fairs
and
exhibitions
are
also
organized
on
this
occasion.
In most of the places in the country right from ten days before Dussehra, the whole Ramayana is enacted in various

parts of India. The occasion is also celebrated in many countries where people of Hindu faith are residing in a very
similar manner to that of India. It is on the tenth day that people come out in processions and chant the greatness of
Lord Rama and enact the whole Rama-Ravana war on the streets. It is said that this is a way to remind people of the
fact that truth always triumphs and motivate them to follow the path of dharma.
Dussehra symbolizes the conquest of good over evil. It is thus considered as an auspicious day. Even today after
burning the effigy of Ravana along with his subordinates Meghanad and Kumbhkarana on the Dusshera celebrations,
we simply symbolize the power of goodness and humanity is above all kind of powers. As Lord Rama fought a battle
of ten days with Ravana, who had abducted his wife Sita, the day of his victory is called Vijaya Dashmi, the tenth
day of Victory. It is said that this day symbolizes not as the victory of Ram but also the victory of mankind. That is
why this day is held in high regard by people who believe that whenever there will be chaos in the society and evil will
try to take over humanity, God will appear in a the form of savior to protect his devotees.

Dussehra Rituals
Dussehra is one of the important festivals for Hindus, celebrated with zeal. Also termed as Vijayadashmi, it is
preceded by Navratri, which has religious
significance associated with it. As per the
legends, Dusshera is the day when Lord Rama
killed Ravana and rescued his wife - Sita.
Therefore, as a symbol of victory of good over
evil, Dusshera holds a special place among the
myriad festivals that are celebrated by the
Hindus. A number of rituals are observed during
the festival. The traditions associated with the
celebration of the festival are very interesting to
witness. In this article, we have given information
on the customs and rituals of Dussehra.
Customs

&

Traditions

Of

Dusshera

Ramlila
A number of customs are common for Dussehra,
in different parts of India, one of them being
Ramlila. The tradition of burning the effigies of
Ravana, his brother Kumbhkarna and son
Meghnath on Ramlila is followed since ages, in
the northern parts of the country. During the
festival, Ramlila is conducted at a huge ground or
'maidan'. It is a fair, witnessed by hundreds of
people, every year. Oversized effigies (of
Ravana, Meghnath and Kumbhkarna) are
constructed a month prior to the festival. They are
filled with crackers and erected on the eve of
Dussehra,
at
the
Ramlila
maidan.
Artists disguised as Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshman
and Ravana head towards the maidan, with the
procession of people, amidst the bursting of crackers. After arriving at the maidan, a small drama is enacted by the

artists, depicting the climax of the war between Lord Rama and Ravana. As the climax approaches, the artist, acting
as Rama, shoots an arrow towards the effigy of Ravana, in order to set it on fire. Subsequently, the effigy catches fire
and then bursts. This is witnessed by hundreds of people, who rejoice on the 'defeat' of Ravana by Rama.
Visarjan
Of
Idol
In the eastern parts of the country, particularly in West Bengal, Durga Puja celebrations precede Dusshera. On the
tenth day of the Pooja, that is, the day of Vijayadashmi, idol of Goddess Durga is immersed into the nearby river or
lake, by the devotees. The devotees bid the farewell to the deity very ceremoniously, amidst a procession that sings
Devi Songs and dances to the tune of dholaks (traditional drums). This custom is called 'Visarjan'. In the region,
Vijayadashmi is celebrated to commemorate the victory of Ma Durga over Mahishasura, whom she killed.
Vidyarambam
The tenth day or Vijayadashmi is also the day of Vidyarambam (beginning of study) in the southern states of Tamil
Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. People in the region worship Goddess Saraswati, the Hindu Goddess of Wisdom, on
Vijayadashmi. In the morning of the day, after a Puja, the books and implements (such as pen and musical
instruments) are removed from the room. Thereafter, literates write a few alphabets on rice or sand and read out a
few sentences from sacred books. It is considered auspicious to start learning any art form, such as music and
dance, on this day.