Happy Dussehra
Dussehra, also known as VijayaDashami, is a big festival in Hinduism and followed by Hindus internationally. It is also known as the festival of good vs evil since it symbolizes the defeat of King Ravana by Lord Ram. Dusshera is celebrated more in Northern India as Lord Rama has a stronger following in that region. Dusshera is celebrated on the 10th day of the Hindu lunar month of Ashvin, or Ashwayuja which falls in September or October of the Western calendar, before Diwali celebrations. The first 9 days are celebrated as Navratri which celebrates Goddess Durga and culminates on the 10th day as Dusshera. Most Hindus observe Dussehra through social gatherings and food offerings to bhagawan (God) at their home temple and in temples throughout India and abroad.
The Ramleela is an enactment of the life of Lord Rama and most commonly performed as a play during the 9 days preceding Dussehra. On the 10th day (Dussehra or Vijay Dasami), larger effigies of Ravana, his son and brother – Meghnadh and Kumbhakarna are set to fire.
One derivation of the word Dussehra is from dashhara. ‘Dash’ means ten and ‘hara’ means defeated. Nine days before Dasera, in the nine days of Navaratri, all the ten directions are saturated with the female deity’s (devi’s-Shakti) energy. ‘Shakti’ has control over creation in all the ten directions (dikbhav), attendants (gan), etc. That is why this day is known as Dashhara, Dasera, Vijayadashami, etc. This is one amongst the three and a half auspicious moments (muhurts) of the year. This falls on the tenth day (dashami) of the bright fortnight of Ashvin. The immersion of the Navratri (female deity) is done on the ninth day (navami) or the tenth day. Four rituals namely crossing the territory (Simollanghan), worship of the Shami tree (Shamipujan), worship of the deity Aparajita (Aparajitapujan) and worship of instruments (Shastrapuja) should be performed on this day. Dussehra is the festival of Victory of Good over Evil. There are many variations to this feat, that are believed all across India. Dussehra is also referred to as the end of Navratri and Durgotsav, Dashahara, Dashain, Vijayadashami, Dashhara and Vijayadasami.
Dusshera can also be a time of sadness. In past years, many Dussehra celebrations in India have been attacked, vandalized and bombed by islamic extremists.
The Chakra team wishes everyone a happy and shubh Dussehra / VijayaDashami. Jai Sri Rama!
Here is a clip showing Dussehra celebrations in Delhi’s Red fort.