DUSSHERA

This festival is also known as Dasha-Hara, Dassera, and Durgotsava and has a unique meaning. It is a festival that symbolizes the victory of good over evil. In fact most of the festivals of Bharat have this idea of adharma being overcome by dharma. The word 'Dussehra' is made up of two Hindi words 'dus' and 'hara', where “dus” means ten and 'hara' is to annihilate. Therefore, when these two words are combined we get 'Dussehra' which stands for the day when the ten evil faces of Ravana were destroyed by Sri Rama. The war between Rama and Ravana went on for 10 days and Ravana was killed by Rama on the tenth day.

There is another important story behind the celebration of Dussehra. One story is associated with Lord Rama and another is associated with Goddess Durga. It is celebrated on the tenth day of Navratri, which is known as Vijayadashami. This year 2024 it falls on Saturday October 12^th.

In North India, usually people celebrate Dussehra by burning the effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnath and it is the commencement of the play based on the epic, Ramayana. It is the final day and there is usually a kind of drama organised by the people. A chariot carrying effigies of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana passes through the crowd and the person enacting Rama aims three fire brand like arrows to burn the effigies one by one.

This festival is an embodiment of India's rich cultural tapestry and ancient traditions. The day marks the victory of Sri Rama over the demon king, Ravana, an allegory that teaches us that dharma, despite all adversities, will always prevail. It also teaches us that even an avatar like Rama had to actually fight adharma as symbolised by Ravana. This is really a great teaching for us. Hinduism is facing a deep crisis. We are being vandalised from all sides. It's high time Hindus gave up practicing ahimsa. Total ahimsa has never been part of our dharma. Had it been so, Rama would never have fought Ravana and Krishna would never have encouraged the Kurukshetra war. Krishna could easily have killed Duryodhana and put an end to the war but the fact is that Arjuna had to learn the lesson that he had to fulfil his swadharma of protecting the land from the tyrants. This lesson has been shown to us through the ages but we don’t seem to have learnt the lesson. Now our dharma is at stake. If we don’t fight to save it, who will? It will be snatched away from us.

This is the lesson to be learnt from the festival of Dussehra also known as Vijayadasami. Across the length and breadth of India, Dussehra is celebrated with unmatched fervour. The effigies of Ravana, Meghnad, and Kumbhakarna are set ablaze, symbolising the obliteration of malevolence by virtue's radiant flame. Dussehra is not just a religious observance; it's also a reminder. A reminder that every individual, irrespective of their background or belief, must be prepared to combat the challenges that life throws at them. The essence of Dussehra instils hope, courage, and the invincible spirit of perseverance in every heart. It's a festival that bridges the past with the present, guiding the way for a future where dharma can never fall.

In many states, this day also commemorates the climax of Durga's battle with the buffalo demon, Mahishasura, releasing the might of divine feminine power. It is known as Vijaya Dashami. For nine days during the Navaratri festival, Kali, Lakshmi and Saraswati are worshipped. Kali is worshipped during the first three days, as she is the one who can remove our negativity, Lakshmi is worshipped during the next three days, since she sows the seeds of auspiciousness and prosperity. During the last three days Saraswati is invited to come and take her abode in our houses since she is the one who can give us all wisdom. After a long battle of nine days, the powerful goddess subdues and kills the buffalo demon. Therefore, this day is celebrated as Vijayadashami. On this day, huge idols of Durga are immersed in rivers and seas with great reverence. In the state of Orissa, the festival is known as Vijoja Dashami.

In the states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, miniature statues and beautiful tableaux of dolls are set up on artificial stages in homes, traditionally known as 'Bommai Kolu'.

In the princely state of Mysuru, Dussehra is celebrated in a royal manner and the king himself comes and worships the goddess  Durga who is the one who had given him victory over his enemies many times.

The manner in which one celebrates it, does not matter. What matters is the clear decision to free our land from all intruders and the extreme negativity that it has fallen into.

Jai Ma Durge!