The name Dussehra is derived from Sanskrit Dasha-hara literally means remover of ten referring to Lord Rama’s defeat of the ten-headed demon king Ravana. The day also marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the demons Mahishasur. The festival of Vijay Dashmi or Dussehra marks the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana. The festival of Dussehra epitomizes the triumph of truth over evil and flags of the upcoming festive and shopping season in Northern part of India. Dussehra also marks the end of the auspicious Navratras during which most Hindus observe a nine day fast, and Dussehra is celebrated with a lot of pomp and show on the tenth day and so it gets the name Vijay (victorious) Dashmi (tenth lunar day of the Hindu calendar month).
Ravana was killed by Lord Rama on this day as revenge against the cruel act of kidnapping Goddess Sita. Mythology also has it that Goddess Durga killed demon Mahishasura after a long spell of cruelty and oppression.
The festival of Navratras is dedicated to the worship of Mother Goddess or Shakti and her nine forms. This season is considered to be an auspicious one as it is generally associated with the sowing of seeds. People sow seeds on the first day, sanctify the planets, watch the sprouting and worship Goddess Durga during this festival. The last three days are especially considered most important. The nine-day is equally divided in worshiping three goddesses. The first three days are dedicated to Goddess Durga. The next three days are spent in worshipping goddess Lakshmi and the last three days are dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. The tenth day marks the end of Durga Puja as well and deities of Goddess Durga are immersed in various holy rivers all across North India.
The highlights of this festival are the extremely colorful dances of Garbha and Dandiya-Ras where men and women of all sects perform. The Dandiya has its origin in the life scenes of Lord Krishna and is associated with the agricultural rites while Garba is performed only by men and is related with the fertility cult or the mother aspect of Navratras. In the south, Dussehra is very popular while in the east, the seventh to the tenth days of Durga Puja are celebrated with much vigor and enthusiasm. Besides the Garba Dance of Gujarat, the most popular events on the auspicious occasions of Navratras are Ramlila of Varanasi, Dussehra of Mysore and Durga Puja of Bengal.
Throughout this festival, people decorate the entrances to their houses and shops with flower studded strings called Torans or Floral Gateways. On the night of Dussehra, effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakaran and Meghanad are stuffed with firecrackers and set on fire in jubilation.
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