Vijayadashmi, also known as Dussehra, is one of the major Hindu festivals in India signifying the victory of good over evil. As per the epic Ramayana, it is believed that Lord Rama defeated and killed the demon-king, Ravana and rescued his abducted wife Sita. The legendary win is reenacted on this day in various forms.
Dussehra is derived from a Sanskrit term Dasha-hara depicting the name of the ten-headed devil in short as ‘Dasha’ and ‘Hara’ symbolizing the ‘defeat’. After the conclusion of the nine-day Navratri festival, Dussehra is celebrated on the tenth day and exactly after 20 days, Diwali – the festival of lights, is celebrated.
During the celebration of this festival across the Northern parts of India, huge effigies of the demon Ravana, his giant brother Kumbhkarna and son Meghnath are burnt with great enthusiasm.
It is believed that the tradition of celebrating Dussehra in a grand way initiated in the 17th century and there were various Jumboo Savaris, where decorated elephants were taken out in a procession.
Dussehra also marks the end of the gloomy monsoon and beginning of the winter season in India as after this festival, farmers harvest the kharif crop and plant the rabi crop after Diwali.
However,amid the COVID-19 pandemic, there are various restrictions and the celebrations are unlikely to be in full swing this year. Listed below are a few things that can be done to make this day special:
On this note, here’s Sahara India Pariwar wishing everyone a very Happy Dussehra.