All About Dussehra
On October 03, 2024Dussehra/Vijayadashami, is a major Hindu festival in India. It is derived from the Sanskrit words ‘Dasha’ and ‘Hara. ‘Dasha’ means ‘ten’, and ‘Hara’ means ‘to destroy’. It refers to the annihilation of 10 negative traits in us and also connotes Lord Rama’s slaying of the ten-headed demon Ravana.
The festival is also called ‘Vijayadashami’. ‘Vijaya’ means ‘victory’ and ‘dashami’ means ‘10th day’. Dussehra is also celebrated in places like Nepal and Bangladesh.
Dussehra is celebrated very grandly in Karnataka, especially Mysuru. The festival commemorates and celebrates Goddess Chamundeshwari’s triumph over the buffalo-headed demon Mahishasura. It is a 10-day festival that begins on the first day of Navratri and ends on the 10th. On the last day, a decorated elephant carrying the idol of the Goddess leads a procession of elephants on the streets. The killing of demons like Ravana, Meghnad, and Kumbhakarna on Dussehra signifies that our vices – desire, greed, wrath, envy, pride, jealousy, injustice, ego, and cruelty - can be destroyed like these evil demons.
The Dussehra festival is based on various legends. In some regions, it commemorates Durga’s victory over Mahishasura, so people honor the 9 forms of Durga during Navratri. On the last day, idols of Durga are immersed in water in a symbolic act of farewell, marking the goddess’ return to her heavenly abode after upholding Dharma.
In Mysuru, Karnataka, people worship Chamundeshwari, a form of Goddess Durga, who killed Mahishasura.
In North India, people celebrate the killing of Ravana by Rama. On the last day of Navratri, giant effigies of Ravana are burnt.
Rituals of Dussehra
Day 1- ‘Ghatasthapana’ means ‘to place a pot or kalash’, which symbolizes Goddess Durga. The pot is kept in the center of a rectangular sand block. Grains are sown on the remaining sand bed. The priest begins the Pooja by invoking Durga’s blessings on the vessel.
Day 7- The 7th day is Phulpati Sapta. On this day, the festival of Phulpati takes place.
Day 8 - The 8th day is Maha Ashtami. On this day, the most ferocious forms of Goddess Durga, like Kali, are appeased in temples by sacrificing buffaloes, goats, chickens, and ducks. Blood is also donated to the Goddesses to symbolize fertility.
Day 9 – Mahanavami means “the great 9th day’. On this day, the rites and ceremonies reach their climax. The state performs buffalo sacrifices and there will be gunfire salutes.
Day 10 - ‘Vijayadashami’ is the 10th day of the festival. A mixture of rice, yogurt, and vermilion is prepared on this day. Elders give Dakshina (money) and bless the young ones in the family.
Day 15 – ‘Kojagrat Purnima’ is the final day, which occurs on a full moon day. People worship Goddess Lakshmi on this occasion. In the evening, they have fun playing cards and taking part in other activities.
Some Interesting Facts
In North India, people sow barley seeds on the first day of Navratri. They use these sprouts on Dussehra, as they are good omens for luck and wealth.
It is believed that during the festival, Durga, her offspring Karthik, Lakshmi, Ganesha, and Saraswati, also visited her parental home and stayed for a while.
The Goddess returned to Shiva, her husband, on Dussehra.
On the day of Dussehra, farmers harvest Kharif crops and seed Rabi crops. So, it is also an important agricultural festival.
It was on this day that Emperor Ashoka adopted Buddhism; so it is a significant day for Buddhists, too.
Legend behind Dussehra
On the day of Dussehra, Rama killed Ravana, the demon king of Lanka who had kidnapped his wife, Sita, when they lived in exile in the forest. Rama crossed the ocean with Hanuman’s help and reached Lanka. Rama and his army battled Ravana and his forces, defeated them, and rescued Sita. Ravana had a boon of invincibility, so Rama prayed to Goddess Durga and invoked her blessings to win the battle.
Dussehra also celebrates the victory of Durga over Mahishasura. Durga waged a fierce battle against Mahishasura riding her mount, a lion. The fight went on for 9 days. On the 10th day of Ashvin Shukla Paksha, the Goddess killed Mahishasura.
Hence, Dasha-Hara is also called Navratri or Durgotsav.
