How Dussera celebrated in India
Dussera festival is celebrated on the tenth day after Navarathri in India which popularly known as Vijayadashmi symbolizing the defeat of Ravana by Lord Rama. Dussera festival is celebrated with great joy and happiness in all over India. This festival is celebrated differently in different parts of India depending upon the legend that is followed in each region. The Dussera festival is famous even in abroad and people from all the world come to see the glory and richness of the festival.
In Northern part of India Ramlila- The enact is the highlight of Dussera festival. In southern part of India, for the victory of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura is celebrated on this occasion. In Eastern part of India like in West Bengal has its own story connected to the festival.
Dussera festival Celebrations in different pars of India :
Delhi:
In the northern part of India, Delhi and its nearby states holds the the most enact of Ramlila during Dussera celebrations where Lord Ram’s life is depicted. An oversized effigies of Ravana, Meghnath and Kumbhkaran are burnt in Ramlila.
Himachal Pradesh:
In Himachal Pradesh Kulu valley is the very ceremonial festivities. More than hundred deities from little temples in the hills are mounted on the colorful palanquins which are brought to ‘maidan’ in Kullu, to worship the reigning deity of the place – Raghunathji. It is a week long affair in the hill town of Kullu, in Himachal Pradesh. Then huge procession consists of Ramlila which is the major attraction of Kullu Dussera. The Dussera celebration begins at least 10 days in advance in Himachal Pradesh.
Nepal:
Another state in India Nepal, where Dussera festival is celebrated with great joy. Dussera is the largest festival in Nepal celebrated by Hindu and non-Hindu Nepalese. Dussera in Nepal is known as Dasha-Hara. On this day of Dasha-Hara, people of Nepal make clay statues of Goddess Durga and submerged in river. People perform pooja by adding turmeric and other pooja items to the river in order to help the water yield better crops.
West Bengal:
In West Bengal, as their sacred deity is Kali Matha, Dussera festival marks the famous festival with Durga pooja. People in West Bengal set pooja pandals with beautifully decorated images of goddess Durga and people gather in large numbers and enjoy the festivities. And the devotees submerse the Goddess idols ceremonially called visarjan. This Dussera festival is celebrated for 4-5 days in West Bengal. The whole of Bengal dress in light and enthusiasm.
Gujarat:
In Gujarat, the Navaratri celebrations include dancing the lively ‘garba’ and ‘dandiya ras’ dances. Gujarat state is the only state in India that erupts into a nine-night dance festival. During Navathri festival people of villages and cities gather in open spaces to celebrate feminine divinity, referred to as Shakti each night. The dance form known as ras garba is performed by people.
Orissa:
In Orissa state, the Dussera festival is popularly known as Vijoya Dashami. The day is considered the last day of the Sharodiya Durga Puja. After offering the last ritual (Aparajita Puja) to the Goddess, a tearful farewell is offered to goddess. They immerse diety in river which is called as ‘Bisarjan Jatra’. After immersing the idol, people in Orissa celebrate ‘Ravan Podi’, wherein the effigies of demon Ravana are burnt.
Kashmir:
In Kashmir, the Kashmiri Pandit community celebrates the Dussera festival with much religious dedication and devotion with a grand function that would be held in Srinagar. The Dussera festival is a historical event not only for Hindus but also for other community members who participate in this event in Kashmir.
Punjab:
The state of Punjab, Navaratri festival is taken as a period of fasting. Women dance around an earthen lamp while singing devotional songs accompanied by rhythmic clapping of hands at night times.
Rajasthan:
In Rajasthan, few months before Dussera festival, craftsmen engage themselves in making huge statues of Ravana, his brother Kumbhakaran and son Meghnath with beautifully crafted and decorated. On the day of Dussera, these effigies are burnt in large ground which is a traditional act of burning the evil. This event is considered an auspicious as people burn their bad habits and bad deeds along with these effigies. It forms an atmosphere of purity and tranquility.
Mysore:
The south Indian city of Mysore city is place of palaces in Karnataka state that celebrates the ten day Dussera festival in a royal style from 300 years. The Mysore Palace is illuminated with a myriad lights. Majestic processions, parade of people ride on decorated elephants captures attentions, dances and musical events lives up to the tranquility in Mysore city. During Dussera festival Mysore city, the streets are decorated like newly wed bride. The Dussera celebrations in Mysore starts by Maharaja of Mysore and will end with the grand procession on the Vijayadasmai day.
Maharastra:
In Maharashtra state, Dussera is celebrated on the tenth day of the Ashwin month. After Navrathri, on the day of Dussera, people immerse the idols installed on the first day of Navratri in water. According to the Shaka Hindu Calendar Debi Pokkho starts with Mahalaya, the last day of the last fortnight Pitri okkho, “Fortnight in the ancestral and finished Kojagori Lokkhi Puja, “Worship of Goddess Lakshmi on Kojagori Full Moon Night” in Mharastra. Dussehra is considered auspicious to start any new venture, according to the Maharashtrians.
Tripura:
The North-eastern state of Tripura, huge fairs are conducted and effigies of Ravana, Meghnath and Kumbhkarna are burnts at Ramlila maidans.
South India:
In southern state of India, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, Dussera festival is celebrated by arranging small statues and dolls, known as ‘Bommai Kolu’, on artificial steps and decorate the steps and the nearby place with beautiful lamps and flowers by women. The day is considered very auspicious, especially for the children to begin their education in academics as well as art. In Tamil Nadu, the first three days are dedicated to the worship of Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth and prosperity, the next three days to Saraswati, Goddess of learning and arts and the last three days to Shakti (Durga).
Saraswati pooja is done on Vijayadashami. A similar tradition can be seen even in Kerala also. And a dish made of chickpeas known as ‘choondal’ is made for the dolls as Prasad. Ayudh pooja is conducted all over south India.
Although Dussera festival is celebrated in different ways across India, the motive of the festival remains the same as spreading good cheer and celebrate the victory of good over the evil.