Thursday 13 October 2016

Dussehra festival in India

Few days ago we were celebrating Dussehra festival in India. This day is public holiday and whole government and private offices are closed. For those, who don't know what about is this festival I have decided to write this post.
Dussehra, is an Indian festival celebrated on the tenth day of Ashvin month according to the Hindu calendar.This festival is also called Vijayadashmi. The day is celebrated to commemorate the killing of Ravana by Lord Rama.
There are lot of mythological tels associated with this day.According to Ramayana, Ravana was killed by Lord Rama, as a revenge against of kidnaping  Goddess Sita. According to Ramayana, Ravana had a sister known as Shoorpanakha, who fell in love with Rama and Lakshmana brothers and wanted to marry one of them. Lakshmana refused to marry her, and Rama was already married to Sita.Shoorpanakha wanted to kill Sita and it has angered Lakshmana and he has cut Shoorpanakha's nose and ears.
Then Ravana has kidnaped Sita to revenge for his sister. Later on, Rama and Lakshmana with the help of God Hanuman, fought and rescued Sita.
In same day, it's  also celebrate the killing of demon Mahishasur by Goddess Durga. And its a same day when Goddess Durga returns to Shiva, after nine days of reunion if her parents.
There is also another series of Hindu stories which plays a role in Dussehra. Its called Mahabharata.
The Pandavas were five brothers, and they were fighting with evil forces. They hid their weapons in Shami tree and went to the exile, and when they came back they found their weapons in the same place. After this they have started to worship Shami tree.
This epic is also commemorated with Dussehra.
Largely the day is celebrates to commemorate the prevalence of good over evil.
In Indian cuture, Dussehra has been celebrated with dances, where whole community met and mixed.Now because of so many influences this tradition is somehow changed but still in some of the places, celebration goes in same way.
Dussehra is the culmination of Navaratri festival.
People in Hindu religion observe Dussehra with special prays and food offering at their homes or in temples.They also hold fairs and effigies of Ravana, which are  burnt in the evening.


 During this day there are many events, like performance of Ramilia (shorter version of epic Ramayana) which basically takes place in Northern India. Large festivals goes on in Mysore, in the state of Karnataka. In same state, people give blessing to their household and work related tools (books, computers).The preparation of special food, like luchi and alur dom in Bengal.




Many Hindus believes that it is lucky to start new project or journey in Dussehra.


One more time I want to wish everyone Happy Dussehra, and hope that with celebration of this festival, people not only burn effigies of Ravana, but also Ravana of their own souls. Lets leave all the negative in that bonfire and be kind and respectful to each other.



Wish You all Love and Peace

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