Dussehra

The Hindu mythological festival of Dussehra is one of the most important festivals that is celebrated in India. This annually held festival is also celebrated in other neighboring countries such as Nepal, Bangladesh etc. Thus it is recognized with different names in different regions. Also spelled as Dashahara, Dussehra, Dashain (in Nepal), Navratri or Durgotsav is celebrated in various forms also in Bangladesh.

The name of the festival Dussehra has been derived from is derived from Sanskrit word Dasha-hara, which literally means remover of ten, which is referred to Lord Ramas victory over the ten-headed demon king Ravana.

The day festivity is also associated to the victory of Goddess Durga over the demons Mahishasur. The name Vijayadashami has been taken from the Sanskrit words “Vijaya-dashmi” which defines as the victory on the dashmi (Dashmi being the tenth lunar day of the Hindu calendar month).

The assertive significance of the day is that it is celebrates the victory of good over evil. Like other mythological festival of India, this is also celebrated with many traditional events such as enactments of the scenes from the legendary mythology, then there are parades which starts off from a few couple of days before only and this is the D day, when enactment of the scene of the killing of evil demon Ravana is performed.

The people celebrate this day with prayers, offerings at temples etc. the day is also observed as a national holiday. The celebration of the festival includes bonfires and fireworks, paper and wood effigies of Ravana, red spots (tika) painted on peoples foreheads.