Friday 4 January, 2013

The Epic Saga of Dusshera


India is the land of distinct culture and colorful festivals. Each festival in India has its own meaning and purpose of celebration. Dussehra is a very popular Hindu festival, which marks the defeat of Ravana by Lord Rama. Dussehra also symbolises the triumph of warrior Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon, Mahishasura. 
According to the great Indian epic, Ramayana, Ravana was a great scholar but a demon. He was the king of Lanka. He was killed on this day by Rama. Bengalis believe that Durga came on the earth on this day the meaning of Durga is victory of good over evil. We celebrate Dussehra so that our evils are destroyed and goodness triumphs. It connotes ten evils, which man should conquer as ‘Duss’ means ten and ‘hara’ means defeat. 
The 'Ramlila' - an enactment of the life of Lord Rama, is held during the nine days preceding Dussehra. On the tenth day (Dussehra or Vijay Dasami), larger than life effigies of Ravana, his son and brother - Meghnadh and Kumbhakarna are set to fire.
The theatrical enactment of this dramatic encounter is held throughout the country in which every section of people participates enthusiastically.
In burning the effigies the people are asked to burn the evil within them, and thus follow the path of truth and goodness, bearing in mind the instance of Ravana, who despite all his might and majesty was destroyed for his evil ways.
The effigies of the demon kings, Ravana, Kumbhkarna and Meghnath are burnt. The play of Ramayana is staged and fairs are arranged all over the country. People feast and distribute sweets. The children wear new clothes and get toys and sweet.
In some communities on this day, sisters put a tilak on their brother’s forehead. They pray for their welfare.  Businessmen worship their account books on this day. Dussehra not only brings joy but also inspires us to win over our bad instincts by good deeds and pious thoughts.
Dussehra also known as Vijayadashami is a 10 day observance of ceremonies and rituals. It falls in the month Ashwin or Kartik as per Hindu calendar. This festival is celebrated in the remembrance of Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana and also celebrated as the day when Goddess Durga killed the Demon Mahishasura. It is celebrated as a victory of good over evil. Dussehra is celebrated throughout the country in various manners. The celebration starts with navratri and is concluded on the tenth day which is Dussehra. This festival is also considered as the end of summer season and beginning of winters.
Dussehra is an important festival for Hindus not only because of its religious significance but also to reminds us about the victory of good over evil. It reminds us of the good deeds of Lord Rama whose morality is an example for all mankind to lead life in an honorable way. He was obedient to his parents; hence even after being the most loved Price and deserving to be the king of Ayodhya he chose to fulfill the wish of his father and went away for 14 years of banishment. This festival teaches us to be patient and live life with a code. To be strong to withstand the right path and to do what is right. 
In Bengal this day is celebrated as Durga Pooja. Throughout Navratri celebrations take place and on the final day Goddess Durga is worshiped who killed the mighty Mahishasura and freed the mankind from his fear. The statues and idols of Durga are submerged into waters. It is believed that Begalis have embraced Durga as their daughter and once a year she visits their homes. Then on Vijayadashami she leaves for her husband’s home.
Dussehra Celebrations: Dussehra can also be understand as "Dasa-Hara", that means the cutting of the ten heads of Ravana.
Students' Oxygen movement View
14/10/2012

3 comments:

RISHABH YADAV said...

I AM RISHABH YADAV FROM STD 9 IS SAID THAT INDIA IS MOST CULTURE AND EFFECTIVE FESTIVAL ARE KNOWN AS DUSSHERA AND ACCORDIND TO THE HINDU FESTIVAL. THEY WAS KING OF LANKA AND THEY KILLED BY RAMA MANY OF BELIVE THAT DURGA COME ON THE EARTH AND DESTROY THE EVILS.WE CRLEBRATE THE DUSSHERA ON THE TENTH OF DAYS SO WE ALWAYS THINK THAT WE CAN DO ANYTHING IN OUR LIFE

RAHUL KUMAR said...

I AM RAHUL KUMAR OF CLASS 9 "F" FROM ST. DOMINIC SAVIO"S SAID THAT "DUSSEHRA CAN UNDERSTAND AS DASA HARA THAT MEANS THE CUTTING OF THE TEN HEADS OF RAVAN.
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R said...

I RAHUL KUMAR OF ST. DOMINIC SAVIO'S SAID THAT DURGA PUJA IS A JOYFUL FESTIVAL.IN THIS FESTIVAL,PEOPLE KEEP FASTING OF NINE DAYS AND IT IS ALSO CALLED AS NAVRATRA.