Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is a significant Hindu festival celebrated across India and other parts of the world. It marks the victory of good over evil and is associated with two main legends.
The first and most popular story is from the epic Ramayana. It tells the tale of Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who fought against the demon king Ravana to rescue his wife, Sita. Ravana, the ruler of Lanka, kidnapped Sita and took her to his kingdom. With the help of his devoted brother Lakshmana, the mighty monkey god Hanuman, and an army of monkeys, Rama waged a fierce battle against Ravana. After a long and arduous fight, Rama defeated Ravana on the tenth day, known as Dussehra. This victory symbolizes the triumph of righteousness and virtue over wickedness and deceit.
The second story comes from the Mahabharata and involves the goddess Durga. According to this legend, Dussehra commemorates Durga’s victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura. Mahishasura had gained immense power and was terrorizing the worlds. The gods, unable to defeat him, combined their powers to create Durga, a fierce goddess with ten arms, each wielding a powerful weapon. After a battle that lasted nine days and nights, Durga finally vanquished Mahishasura on the tenth day, restoring peace and harmony.
In celebration of these victories, Dussehra is marked by vibrant festivities, including the reenactment of Rama’s battle, known as Ramlila, and the burning of large effigies of Ravana, symbolizing the destruction of evil. Families gather to exchange gifts, enjoy traditional foods, and participate in cultural performances. The festival also ushers in the festive season, leading up to Diwali, the festival of lights, celebrated twenty days later. Dussehra reminds us of the eternal struggle between good and evil.
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