This is a day to remember, as Vijaydashmi Day is celebrated throughout the nation and people rejoice in the Dussehra festival.
One of the biggest Hindu festivals celebrated in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh is Dussehra. Dussehra is a Sanskrit word that represents 2 words ‘Dasha’ and ‘Hara’ meaning the defeat of ten vices in us; this denotes the victory of Lord Rama against the ten-headed demon- Ravana.
This festival is also known as ‘Vijayadashami’. Vijayadashami is a Sanskrit term comprising two words Vijaya and Dashami, meaning Triumph of Dashami.
History of the Dussehra.
The festival of Dussehra holds a special meaning as it is on this particular day that Lord Ram killed the ten-headed King of Lanka, ‘Ravana’ for having abducted His wife Goddess Sita. To fight with Ravana and retrieve Goddess Sita. At the end, Lord Rama killed Ravana and won the war against evil. It lasted nine days and nine nights. Eventually, Mahishasura was squashed and killed by the Goddess Durga on the tenth day of Ashvin Shukla Paksha. As such, Dasha-Hara is another name for Navratri or Durgotsav which marks the victory of the Goddess. This day is remembered with Dussehra festivals like Vijaya Dasham and Dussehra celebrations all over the country.
The Tenth Day of Celebration – Dussehra.
The symbolism in Navratri has to do with triumphing over evil and animalistic propensities, and it also encompasses respect for all aspects of living, even for that which promotes one’s well-being. Navratri is spread over nine days, each about the three essential natural qualities of tamas, rajas, and sattva. In the first three days, she is tamasic like Durga and Kali. Next, the next days are Lakshmi-oriented – gentle and maternal goddesses. Sattva is for the last days of the 3 days of Saraswati. It deals with knowledge and brightness.
Vijayadashami – The Day of Victory.
These three will affect your life this way if you invest. Investing in Tamas will make you powerful in one way. Rajas is another type of power that you can gain by investing. Power will come to you from a different side if you invest in sattva. This goes beyond all the above but it has liberation not power involved. You have conquered all these three qualities by the end of Navratri – Vijayadashami. None of them yielded any of them, you were not swayed by any. In all of them, you took part and did investing. You won over them. The day of victory, Vijayadashami. It helps drive the point that being thankful for all that matters in our lives is what determines winning in life.
Why Do We Celebrate Dussehra in India? Why Is Dussehra So Important?
In the Indian subcontinent, Dussehra is celebrated differently according to its cultural and theological significance. For instance, Durga Puja culminates on Vijayadashami in the south, east, northeast, and north of India where Durga Puja is celebrated. It marks the victory of the goddess Durga against the buffalo monster Mahishasr to establish dharma. As opposed to this, the event marks the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana in the whole country including the northern, central, and western states. It is also a day of victory for Arjuna, a Pandava warrior, in the Mahabharata against the Kauravas.
Northern India celebrates Dussehra.
It is from Navarathri, the celebration of this day in Northern India. The celebration of Dussehra begins as early as a month before the main festival, as cities are lighted up with fairs, plays, and decorations. The city reverberates with ten-day plays based on Ramayana and Ramcharitmanasa which describe stories of Lord Rama, Lakshman, Sita, and Hanuman. The episodes on how they win over Ravana through narration, recitation, and songs. On the 10th day of Ramlila, effigies of Ravana are burnt in the presence of a loud audience, representing the victory of good over evil.
Western India celebrates Dussehra.
Those in Western India worship Lord Rama and the Goddess Durga, honoring their successes. Fasting and going to a temple happens in Gujarat with some people. The very 1st of Navratri is celebrated in Maharashtra by holding processions with singing and dance where people take out the idols of deities installed in their house and immerse them in water before parting ways.
India’s eastern region Dussehra Festival.
The most significant festival in Eastern India, particularly in West Bengal, is Navratri’s Nine-day-long Durga Puja. On the tenth day of the Hindu calendar, devotees carry huge clay images of Goddess Durga to the river and bid her farewell through holy songs.
Dussehra Festival in Southern India.
Festivities marking Vijay Dashami in Southern India involve some practices. This is a festival that celebrates the goddess Saraswati, the deity of wisdom. On this day many people begin their studies in the sphere of culture such as classical dance or music; they also thank their teachers. The goddess Lakshmi is worshiped in the first three days of this festival in Tamil Nadu, then comes the goddess Saraswati in the succeeding three days, and ends with the goddess Durga in the last three days.
Vijay Dashami 5 interesting facts.
Why are the idols immersed?
Immersing the idol in Vijay Dashami symbolizes the transition of a God from formless (clay) to form (idol) and then to formlessness in water-representing the harmony between nature and cosmic energy.
Kullu Dussehra.
One such festival is the Kullu Dussehra, which is an international festival, and thousands of people visit it annually from all over the world.
Our main wars are inside of us.
The meaning Of Dussehra lies in spiritual growth. Each human has an internal battle between good and evil, as he or she ought to rise above their darker side.
Asoka became a Buddhist on this day.
Asoka the great conqueror of Vijayadashami converted to Buddhism and vowed not to take up arms again.
What made Ravana have ten heads?
Ten heads are often said to represent ten vices or human defects that are destroyed as we move toward salvation. Other interpretations have it that the ten heads stand for Ravana’s knowledge of six Shastras and four Vedas.
