Why we celebrate Dussehra - its significance
The festival of Dussehra is widely known with pleasure in every part of the nation for numerous causes. In northern and western India, it's celebrated to rejoice Lord Rama's victory over Ravana. After kidnapping his spouse Sita after a 10-day-long battle, Lord Rama killed the demon Ravana. In eastern India, the festival is the culmination of the grand 'Durga Puja' festival, the goddess Durga's victory or 'Vijaya' over a buffalo-like demon is revered and remembered for the restoration of religion.In every part of India, this spirited festival is taken into account as a symbol of the victory of good over evil. Also, the Vijayadashmi festival is related to the start of Diwali, which comes 20 days after this festival.
Dussehra ceremony
Dussehra is widely known with full devotion and enthusiasm in every part of India. However, this competition is related to numerous traditions and rituals in several states and cities.Northern India
In the northern part of the nation, the celebrations on this day start on Navratri. The Dussehra celebrations start a month before the actual festival the place cities throw light into the public with fairs, performs and decorations. There are performs in each nook and nook of town based mostly on Ramayana and Ramcharitmanas where the story of Lord Rama, Lakshmana, Sita, Hanuman, and his victory over Ravana is colorfully depicted with tales, inscriptions and songs over an interval of 10 days is. On the 10th day of 'Ramlila', the sculpture of Ravana is lit amidst the joy of the viewers as a logo of the victory of excellent over evil.
Western India
In Western India, individuals revere each Lord Rama and Goddess Durga and reward her victory. In Gujarat, some individuals additionally quick and go to temples. In Maharashtra, a procession is carried out with songs and dances the place individuals carry idols of deities, which they'd put in of their houses on the primary day of Navratri and immerse them in water and say goodbye.
Eastern India
In Eastern India, particularly in West Bengal, Durga Puja, or Navaratri is considered the largest competition that's celebrated for 9 days. Vijayadashmi is the tenth day when people take the clay idols of Goddess Durga to the river with a procession and bid farewell to the goddess with devotional songs and inscriptions.
South India
The Vijayadashmi festival encompasses numerous customs and traditions in southern India. Here, this festival is especially devoted to Saraswati, the goddess of information and schooling. People typically begin their schooling in cultural fields like classical dance or music on today and likewise honor their academics. In Tamil Nadu, 9 days of this festival are devoted to a few Goddesses: the first three days are to Goddess Lakshmi, the following three days to Goddess Saraswati and the final three days to Goddess Durga.
Dussehra Puja
In some parts of India, people carry out Aparajita Puja and Shami Puja on Vijayadashmi.
Shami Puja
Shami Puja is mainly the worship of the Shami tree which is especially carried out in North East India. Which was historically performed by warriors (Kshatriyas) on the day of Vijayadashmi.
Aparajita Pooja
People pray to Goddess Aparajita on today. It is believed that Lord Rama took the blessings of Goddess Aparajita, the Goddess of Victory, earlier than going into battle to defeat Ravana. This puja is performed through the afternoon Muhurta. You can see the afternoon Muhurat on the Chaudharya.
Dussehra Puja Vidhi: Method of worship
- On this day, after bathing in the morning, wear clean clothes.
- After this, make ten shells called cow dung from cow dung.
- Apply curd to these cow dungs.
- Now put barley grown in Navratri on top of these tubers.
- Now worship Ravana by lighting incense lamps.
- In many places, it is customary to place barley on the head and ears of boys.
Dussehra Puja Vrat Katha: Story of Dussehra
In our country, the festival of Dussehra is celebrated with great pomp and show. This festival is also called Vijay Dashami. After worshiping Goddess Durga for nine days at the time of Sharadiya Navaratri, on the tenth day, an effigy of Ravana is made and burnt. Its cause and story are related to Tretayuga. In Tretayuga, Lord Vishnu incarnated as Sri Ram. Shriram is called Maryada Purushottam. He was an icon of idealism.Lord Rama had to go on 14 years of exile due to a promise given by his father. When Ram started leaving for the forest, his younger brother Lakshman and wife Sita also accompanied him. Seeing Sri Rama in the forest, Surpanakha, the sister of King Ravana of Lanka, was fascinated by Rama and proposed marriage to Rama.
Sriram respectfully tells Surpanakha that he cannot marry her as he has pledged to his wife Sita that he will not marry anyone other than him. Saying this, Shriram sent Surpanakha to Lakshmana. When Surpanakha went to Laxman and started stubbornly to get married, Laxman refused him. Laxman got angry and cut off his nose and ears if he did not listen to this.
Crying Surpanakha reached her brother Ravana and told him about Rama and Lakshmana. Then Ravana killed Mata Sita by deceit. Then Rama devotee Hanuman discovered Mata Sita. Even after much persuasion, when Ravana was not ready to send Mother Sita with respect to Shri Ram, Shriram killed him and brought Mother Sita back from Lanka.
