Dussehra Celebrations

Hinduism being the most widely followed religion of our country India, almost all Hindu festivals are celebrated across the country. One of them is Dusshera. Dussehra is one of the significant Hindu festivals, celebrated with much joy and happiness in the entire country.

The occasion marks the triumph of Lord Ram over Ravana, the victory of good over evil. Dusshera celebrations are simply spectacular. Brilliantly decorated images and processions depicting various episodes from Ram's life are taken out. In north India the Dussehra celebration includes the Ram Lila that consists of plays, recitations and music that recall the life of the legendary hero, Ram.

In Delhi, many amateur troupes perform Ram Lila based on the epic story of Ramayana throughout the nine-day worship of Goddess Durga. On the tenth day, or the Vijayadasami, colossal effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhkarna and son Meghnad are placed in vast open spaces. Actors dressed as Ram, his wife Sita, and brother Lakshman arrive and shoot arrows of fire at these effigies, which are stuffed with firecrackers. The result is a deafening blast, and an explosion of sound and light enhanced by the shouts of merriment and triumph of the spectators.

As Dussehra is preceded by the Navratri or the nine days of the worship of Goddess Durga, some rituals related to the Goddess are also carried out that day. The rituals of Durga Puja involve the usual puja of goddess Durga along with Lord Ram. Every part of the country has its own specific way of celebrating this day of victory of good over evil. Be it Delhi, Haryana, Kullu and Mysore, but one thing is sure one can find celebration and revelry combined with religious rituals on this day everywhere.