Dussehra/Dasara a 10 day long Durga Puja festival celebration

Dussehra is one of the major Hindu festivals of India & is celebrated throughout the country with great zeal and enthusiasm. People all over the country participate in the occasion in their own way. Dussehra symbolizes the conquest of good over evil. It is thus considered as an auspicious day. The festival of Dussehra has a long interesting history behind it. Two great legends are associated with the festival of Dussehra.

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It is believed that on this day when Lord Rama killed the ten headed demon king Ravana and gave the throne of his kingdom, Lanka, to his brother Vibhishana. Since that day, the day of Vijaya Dashmi is considered to be auspicious and festive by the people of India and is celebrated as the day that symbolizes the victory of ‘Good over Evil’. Even today, burning the effigy of Ravana along with his subordinates Meghanad and Kumbhkarana on Dusshera, symbolizes the power of goodness and humanity above all other evil and bad powers. As Lord Rama fought a battle of ten days with Ravana, who had abducted his wife Sita, the day of his victory is called ‘Vijaya Dashmi’- the tenth day of Victory. It is said that this day symbolizes not only the victory of Ram over Ravana but also the victory of ‘mankind’. That is why this day is held in high regard by people who believe that whenever there will be chaos in the society and evil will try to take over humanity, God will appear in the form of savior to protect his devotees.

There is another story associated with the history of Dussehra festival. It is said that Vijayadashmi also symbolizes the victory of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura, the demon who held the earth and the heaven with his tyranny and invincible power.

This year Dussehra is being celebrated on Monday, 28th September 2009. Send Dussehra/Dasara & Durga Puja Greetings & Scraps to your loved ones.