Dussehra or Vijayadashmi is the famous Hindu festival in Maharashtra and falls under the month of October. As per the great Hindu mythology, Dussehra is the auspicious day as Lord Rama killed Ravana and had won the Lanka. It is said that Ravana, a cruel and dictating ruler had kidnapped Sita, Ram’s wife. During Navratri, in Maharashtra as well as in many parts of India, Ramleela is organised and people enjoy the performance of the play based on Ramayana. 

The name ‘Dussehra’ is taken from Sanskrit term Dasha-hara which means ‘taking away of bad luck. Dussherra festival is also known as Durga Pooja and in eastern part of India, people worship Goddess Durga during all nine days in Navratri and celebrate Dussehra with their friends and relatives. This was the sign of the victory of good over evil and also considered as the success of Goddess Durga over Mahishasur (Damon). Dussehra is celebrated on the next day of Ram Navmi which is also called Durgotsav.

On Dussehra, the deities which are worshipped during Navratri are immersed in river or lake. This is a pompous occasion and people commemorate by exchanging sweets with their friends and relatives. Apta tree possesses immense significance amid the Marathi people as the leaves of this tree are worshipped on this day. It is believed that this brings the good luck and wealthy future for them. This is one of the old customs which followed since the time of Raghuraja. He was one of the relatives of Rama and Kubera.

Significance of Dussehra

Dussehra is a great Hindu festival which has unique perception and significance. Behind this festival celebration there are 2 main stories. One story is linked with Lord Rama and the other story is related to Goddess Durga. Dussherra is the symbol of the victory of good over evil or sin. Dussehra is also a major festival for the artisans in the state of Maharashtra. Diverse types of tools, machinery and vehicles are worshipped on this auspicious day and are not touched during whole day.

Marigold is the main flower which is used most all through the Dussehra festival. During this festival, marigolds especially saffron coloured are sold in large amount. For ritualistic purpose, Marathi people use this flower and also decorate their houses and work places with them.

Reasons to Celebrate Dussehra

Dussehra is celebrated with the aim to remember and review our knowledge on Hindu culture and tradition. The reason is related with the victory of Lord Ram (eight embodiment of Lord Vishnu) over the Ravan, the great demon of Lanka, which marks the victory of good over evil.  On this day, people perform play which is called as Ramlila to entertain. So Dussehra must be celebrated for entertainment purpose too.

Most of the Hindu people consider Dussehra as lucky day and believes that they must begin a new mission, project or journey on this special day. Dussehra is the conclusion of the sadhana, mantra and havan which raise these energies to help creation and realise the spirituality within to help kill your demons. Hence, spirituality is also the purpose behind this festival.

Tradition on Dussehra

Many traditions are followed for Dussehra in different parts of our country. Ramlila is one of them which have been followed since ages. Dummy of Ravana, son Meghnath, his brother Kumbhkarna are burned on a huge ground. In the eastern parts of India, especially in West Bengal, Durga Pooja is celebrated and on Dussehra, the tenth day of the Pooja, idol of Goddess Durga is immersed generally called ‘Visarjan’ in lake or river by the devotees. Vijayadashmi is celebrated on the victory of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura, whom she slayed.

Information Essential for Tourists

In India, Dussehra is celebrated for the victory of Hindu Lord Rama's over Ravana, the demon king which marks the triumph of good over sin or evil. The epic Ramayana describes the mythological story of the Lord Rama who saves his wife Sita from the cruel ruler of Lanka.

What do People do on Dussehra

Most of Hindus worship lord Ram and Durga Mata and offered prayer in their home and temples. In many places, fairs are organised where effigies of Ravana (a dictating and cruel king of Lanka) are burnt on bonfires in the evening, so people go and enjoy the festival. They also exchange gifts of Apta leaves from the Apta tree or Shami tree as they believe that it will bring good fate and prosperous future for them. People visit their friends and relatives and exchange the sweets with them.