Vijayadashami, also known as Dussehra, marks the culmination of the ten-day festival of Navaratri, symbolising the triumph of good over evil. This day is celebrated with great fervour and enthusiasm across India and other parts of South Asia. The word Vijayadashami is derived from two Sanskrit words – Vijaya, meaning victory, and Dashami, referring to the tenth day of the lunar calendar. The festival falls on October 12 this year.
The festival of Dussehra is celebrated every year on the tenth day of Shukla Paksha of Ashwin month. This festival symbolizes the victory over evil. Over the period of time, this festival also comes to instil a new energy into the cultural consciousness and the sense of patriotism in the country. Even today, the need to enliven the culture of this inspirational and motivational festival has become all the more necessary in order to fight the forces of darkness. The question is who should protect the culture? Who should lead the rise of ideals? Who should get his first name written in the foundation of life values? The process of fighting evil is very difficult. This practice of awakening brilliance and power is very difficult. It is very complex to give a high peak to self-existence and self-identity. After all, how to fight the evils hidden in our house, when Ravana is taking birth in the courtyard of the house, be it in the form of corruption, be it in the form of political criminalization, be it in the form of those spreading communal hatred, be it in the form of anti- national elements. Be it in the form of terrorists who break the law, or in the form of those who make education, medicine and justice a business. Celebrating this festival every year, where strength is prayed for, attention is drawn towards various issues of national importance. This provides new inspiration, new freshness, new strength, new dreams and new directions.
The festival of Dussehra, which follows Navratri, is a very special festival for Hindus; it comes 20 days before the festival of Diwali. Dussehra is celebrated to mark the victory of Lord Shri Ram over the demon king Ravana. People stage the war between Shri Ram and Ravana in the form of a drama for ten days prior to the arrival of Dussehra. This dramatic life depiction is called Ram-Leela in North India– people organize Ram-Leela by wearing masks and through various dance forms, which they enjoy, making it a medium of Hindu culture, following the verses of Ramayana. They also make giant size effigies of the three great demons namely– Ravana, Meghnad and Kumbhakarna in which big fire-crackers are filled; and when the effigies are made to burn, they turn out to be the brilliant spectacles to watch on.
Lord Shri Ram is, thus, the symbol of truth, while his opponent Demon King Ravana is the evil incarnate. This great religious festival and custom is celebrated by the Hindus with the worship of Goddess Durga. The traditions and procedures of celebrating this festival are different across the country. Lord Ram was a devotee of the war goddess Maa Durga, who worshiped Maa Durga for nine days preceding the war, and killed Ravana on the tenth day of war. After this, Shri Ram rescued His Divine consort Sita through fighting a big war in company with His brother Lakshman, devotee Hanuman, and an army of monkeys. Therefore, Vijayadashami is a very important day of the victory of Good over the Evil, of the Truth over the Falsehood and the Light over the Darkness. On this day, along with burning of Ravana, there is also a tradition of worshiping weapons, vehicles and worshiping Maa Durga, Lord Shri Ram and Ganpati Devata. Therefore, Vijayadashami has also been called as Vijaya Tithi. It is believed that this day is very auspicious to please Goddess Lakshmi.
Dussehra has a cultural aspect also. It is also a festival to unite the cultural unity and integrity of the country. This year’s Vijayadashami festival has special significance, because with the positive revolutionary energy of this festival, not only a strong message has to be given to the negative and anti-national forces active in the nation, but also a challenge and caution against the misdeeds of neighbouring countries like Pakistan, China etc. After celebrating the Amrit Mahotsav year of Independence, the nation has to be strengthened for the Centenary Year that is 2047. The new consciousness that has come in the country with the strengthening of fundamental beliefs, nationalism is a living evidence of a powerful leadership. The efforts being made in search of renewable sources of energy for nationalism, self-identity, patriotic sentiments and the Hindu culture are unprecedented. The contemporary environment in which the nation is being led in accordance with the popular aspirations is extraordinary.
Dussehra is also a festival of Shakti sadhana, karma, new creation and worship. During the last eight decades, there have been continuous political moves to weaken the Hindu religion and culture. Actually Hindu is not a religion, it is an idea, and a culture. Being a Hindu nation does not mean to be a theocratic state, but the all-embracing spirit of Hindu culture. Hindu culture is the inherent sound of generosity, because it is the only culture in the entire world which embraces pluralism i.e. all religions, ideas and cultures. This country also gave the title of Rishi to a materialistic philosopher- thinker like Charvak who had said that ‘Rinaam Kritva Ghritam Peevet’ i.e. whatever is there is today, who has seen tomorrow, hence today should be lived to the fullest and even if one has to take loans. If it has to be done, it should be done. Along with this, our other sages also gave us this advice that ‘Satyam Buryat Na Buryat Satyam Apriyam’ i.e. speak the truth, but do not speak the bitter truth. The greatness and specialty of Hindu culture has been that it advocates the beloved truth, but also asks for its prohibition when it becomes harsh.
The Hindu culture is that of non-violence, but it also talks about self-defence by taking up arms if necessary. The word ‘Hindu’ itself gives the sense of ‘Swarashtra’ which is a part of the larger form of Hindu culture. Vijayadashami festival is a powerful medium to strengthen this ideology. Through this festival, everyone’s voice and objective is to destroy evil and encourage goodness. After Navratri, the last i.e. tenth day of Dussehra is Vijayadashami, which means that you have conquered all the three gunas – Tamas, Rajas or Satva. You passed through these three qualities, saw all three, participated in all three, but you were not attached or tied to any of these three in any way, you overcame all three of them. This is Vijayadashami – the day of your victory.
Indian culture is a worshiper of bravery and valour. The festival of Dussehra has been organized to display bravery in the blood of individuals and society. The festival of Dussehra provides good inspiration to give up ten types of sins – lust, anger, greed, attachment, jealousy, ego, laziness, violence and theft. One who is full of hatred, full of anger, full of malice, full of jealousy, full of greed, is increasing fear. All these lead to fear and powerlessness. While celebrating Dussehra festival of force and bravery, the biggest need is to burn these vices within us.
India never supported war or violence, but when somebody challenged us and created war-like situations, the skill of Indian politics is to attack and defeat the enemy, instead of waiting for his attack. Since the time of Lord Ram, this day is the symbolic day of victory. Lord Ram had left for the war against Ravana on this day. Maratha Ratna Shivaji also protected Hindu religion by leaving for war against Aurangzeb on this day. There are many examples in Indian history when Hindu kings used to march in victory on this day. The celebration of Dussehra symbolizes protection of religion, display of power and coordination of power. Apart from this, Dussehra symbolizes the victory of positive forces over negative forces.
Celebrations in Different Regions of India?
1.Mysore Dussehra
Mysore’s Dussehra or Dasara as they call it is one of the most spectacular Dussehra celebrations in the country. The royal heritage of Mysore interspersed with the ritualistic celebration is worth witnessing. Celebrated elaborately over a span of 10 days, the city honors Goddess Chamundeswari, who killed the great demon Mahishasura. The biggest highlight of the festival has to be the beautifully illuminated Mysore palace, which is decorated with 100,000 light bulbs from 7 P.M to 10 P.M on each day of the festival. Many cultural and religious programs, song and dance performances are also organized in front of the palace. The festivities culminate with a procession through the streets, carrying an idol of the Goddess Chamundeshwari atop an elephant adorned in gold and lavish accessories. The ride is taken through the city of Mysore, from the historical Mysore Palace to the Banni Mantapa. The revelry continues till late in the evening with a torch-light parade that takes place in the outskirts of the city.
2. Dussehra in Bengal, Tripura and Orissa
Come September and the excitement of Durga Puja takes over the state of Bengal, Orissa and Tripura. In these states, Dussehra celebrations are not quite tied to the epic battle of the Ramayana unlike the other parts of the country, rather they celebrate the victory of Goddess Durga over buffalo king Mahishasura. The five day long extravaganza starts from Shashti (6th day of Navratri) and goes on till last day known as Vijaya Dashmi. The preparations begin months in advance – from setting up pandals, organising various cultural activities like poetry recitation, singing, dancing and painting competitions to the simple joy of purchasing new clothes. A lavish bhog is offered, and may traditional delicacies are served in the pandals. On the tenth day, married women bid a tearful goodbye to Goddess Durga. After the ritual of Sindoor daan, they offer sweets, betel leaves and prasad to the idol of Durga , and later distribute sweets amongst themselves. Women also put sindoor on each other’s cheeks and foreheads (symbolizing the well-being of their married life). People gather again one last time in the evening, to wish each other ‘Shubho Bijoya’and later feast on some good mutton biryani, ghugni or mutton kosha with pooris.
3.Dussehra In Kullu
The Dussehra celebrations in the valley are imbued with rich culture, traditions and a rich legacy of the yesteryears. On Vijay Dashmi, Kullu valley’s Dhalpur maidan is beautifully decorated with flowers and lights to celebrate Dussehra. In the 17th century, local King Jagat Singh installed an idol of Raghunath(Lord Ram) on his throne on Dussehra and from thereon God Raghunath was declared as the ruling deity of the Kullu Valley. In Kullu, they don’t burn the effigies of Ravana. On the first day of the celebrations, Goddess Hadimba is carried from the temple in Manali down to Kullu, from where she’s taken to the palace of the royal family. Later, in a procession she is taken to Dhalpur and is joined by the idol of Lord Raghunath or Lord Rama where they stay until the end of the festival with many more Gods and Goddesses. Cultural performances, fairs and exhibitions are spread across the maidan and they further add to the excitement. On the last day of the festivities, the chariot carrying all the Gods and Goddesses is immersed in the Beas river. There is also a tradition of setting a pile of bushes on fire which is believed to depict the burning of Lanka.
4.Dussehra of Gujarat
Navratri or Navratra is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Gujarat. Devotees fast through the day, and perform pujas. In the evening, men and women gather, clad their vibrant clothes, to play Garba and Dandiya (Gujarat’s folk dance). The folk melodies, and a lot of singing and dancing makes for a fascinating sight on the last few days of Navratri. Several devotees also take a tour of iconic pilgrimages like the temples of Goddess Ashapura Mata, Ambaji temple, and Chamunda Mata Temple.
5. North India’s Spectacular Ram Lila
Navratri is one of the most significant festivals up north. Celebrated with much grandeur and enthusiasm, Sharad Navratri brings alive the festive spirit in all devotees. Devotees observe ritualistic fasts and do pujas to please their beloved deity. On the eighth or ninth day, there is a ritual of doing Kanya puja. Nine girls(seen as the nine avatars of Goddess Durga) are welcomed into the house by first washing their feet and then tying moli (red thread) around their wrists. These girls are seated in a line and given halwa, poori and chole . There is also a practice of organizing grand bhandaras, in honour of the Goddess, where Prasad is distributed to the neighbours and the needy in the locality. The Ram Lila depicting the historic tale of Rama defeating Ravana and winning back his wife Sita is also a common part of the festivities On the last day, the celebrations culminate with the splendid Dussehra festivities, wherein Ravana’s effigies are burnt, symbolizing his epic defeat at the hands of Lord Ram and the ultimate victory of good over evil.
6.Telengana’s Floral Bathukamma
The newest state in the country, Telangana is a melting pot people and cultures. Apart from visiting temples and conducting the ritualistic pujas, Telangana also celebrates the Bathukamma Panduga or the Bathukamma festival during Navratri. This is a flower festival where the women of the house create beautiful flower arrangements and decorations in seven concentric layers in the shape of the Temple of Gopuram. ‘Bathukamma’ literally translates into ‘Mother Goddess come Alive’. The flower arrangements are an attempt to invoke the Goddess and seek her blessings. Each year, this festival is celebrated as per the Shalivahana calendar for nine days starting Bhadrapada Amavasya (also known as Mahalaya Amavasya ) till Durgashtami.