Dussehra

Dussehra

Legend has it that once Lord Rama's wife, Sita was abducted by the demon-king Ravana. To rescue Sita, Rama formed an army of monkeys and bears with the help of his brother Lakshmana and devotee Hanuman. Before attacking Ravana, Rama invoked the all-powerful Goddess Durga and prayed for divine powers. The Mother Goddess was pleased with Rama's devotion. Taking Her blessings, Rama and his army invaded Lanka, the kingdom of Ravana. The war lasted for ten days. In the end, Rama killed Ravana and brought Sita home. The day on which Ravana was cremated was the tenth day (Dashami). Since it was Rama's victory over Ravana, this day is commonly known as Vijayadashami. Rama's triumph and glory is celebrated as the festival of Dussehra.

Dussehra falls on the tenth day of the month of Ashvin (September-October according to the Gregorian calendar). The previous nine days of the month are spent in the worship of Goddess Durga. These nine days are called 'Navratri'. Goddess Durga is' believed to be the 'Shakti', the cosmic energy that animates all beings. Her worship fills the devotees with a new lease of life and inner strength.

Dussehra commemorates the death of King Ravana, his son Meghnad and younger brother Kumbhkarna. In northern India, the Hindus relive the legend year after year. The actors stage dramas in huge pandals (tents) and re-enact various incidents from Lord Rama's life. This performance is called 'Ramlila'.

Preparations for the Ramlila start almost 15-20 days prior to the main festival. Artisans make huge effigies of Ravana, Meghnad and Kumbhkarna. These effigies are sometimes as tall as 70 - 100 ft. They are made out of coloured paper, hay and cotton cloth. Crackers are stuffed inside them. These huge effigies are erect in open grounds for public viewing. On the Dussehra day, people start gathering in the ground.

All are jubilant, young and old alike. Just at the sunset, artists dressed as Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman arrive there on a chariot. Rama and Lakshmana shoot arrows of fire at the effigies of Kumbhkarna, Meghnad and Ravana. The crackers stuffed inside the effigies catch fire and start bursting out one by one. The spectators clap and cheer as the effigies burn and fall to ashes. The whole scene is mesmerizing. Children especially, enjoy seeing this because of the beautiful fireworks on the ground. At some places, the artists also enact the scene of 'Bharat Milap1, that is the reunion of Rama and his estranged brother Bharat when Rama returns to Ayodhya after completing the 14 years of exile.

Indifferent parts of the country, Dussehra is celebrated in different ways. In Tamil Nadu, the first three days are dedicated to the worship of Shakti (Durga); the next three days to Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth and prosperity and the last three days to Saraswati, Goddess of wisdom and arts. The devotees perform puja every night and clean their houses regularly. It is said that Goddess Lakshmi would not enter if the place is litter.

In the Kullu valley in Himachal Pradesh, Dussehra is a grand ceremony. The devotees take out elaborate processions of the village deities. They place the deities in colourfully decorated palanquins and carry them through the Kullu Dussehra streets. Dussehra is celebrated in Nepal by the name of Dashain. The Dussehra of Mysore, is also quite famous. A grand procession is carried through the streets of the city, with the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari riding in a golden 'Ambari1 (elephant-seat) on an elephant's back.

Dussehra is considered to be an auspicious day to start a new venture, be it laying the foundation of a new building or opening a new commercial establishment. It is also the day when many families start formal education of their children. Special sweets are made on the occasion of Dussehra. 'Narkel Naru1 is made of coconut, milk, sugar and cardamom powder. 'Sandesh' is made of good quality paneer and sugar.

Dussehra celebrates the victory of the good over evil. By burning the effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkarna and Meghnad, the people are asked to burn the evil within them. Ravana was a great scholar and an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva, but he had started misusing his powers that were bestowed on him. And that brought his end. Therefore, it explicit that people should follow the path of virtue and goodness.