Dussehra 2024 and Vijayadashami

The tenth day of Navratri is known as "Vijayadashami". Vijayadashami marks the end of Durga Puja. It honors the victory of Goddess Durga against the buffalo like demon “Mahishasura” for the restoration and protection of religion. In India it is celebrated for different reasons and in different ways in different parts of India. People celebrate Dussehra with great splendor every year in the southern, eastern, northeastern and some northern states of India. Dussehra is a very important festival in India.

Why it is Called Vijayadashmi

“Vijay+Dashami” The word “Vijay” means victory in war and “Dashami” means “10th day” of the war. So, it simply means victory over the enemy, unrighteousness and injustice. After nine days of worshipping, Vijayadashami celebrations involve, a procession in which clay soil idols of Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesha and Kartikeya are carried, accompanied by music and chanting, which are then immersed in river or sea water.

Ravana Dahan

At other places, tall effigies of Ravana, the symbol of evil, are burnt with fireworks, symbolizing the destruction of evil. This festival also begins preparations for the important festival of lights, Diwali, which is celebrated twenty days after Vijayadashami. Dussehra and Ramleela.

The most popular deity of Dussehra is Lord Rama. This day is celebrated as the victory of Lord Rama over the demon Ravana. It is also important to mention that it took 20 days for Lord Rama to return to Ayodhya after killing Ravana. It was the day of Diwali when Lord Ram reached Ayodhya. Therefore, the day of Diwali is also celebrated as the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after completing his fourteen years of exile.

The name Dussehra comes from the Sanskrit word “Dasha Hara”, which means “necklace of the sun” in English. If Ravana had not been defeated, the sun would not have risen again. It is said that Goddess Durga and her children Kartik, Lakshmi, Ganesha and Saraswati also visited his birthplace and stayed for some time. On Dussehra the goddess returned to her husband Lord Shiva.

Agricultural Celebration on Dusshera

In the northern region of India, barley seeds are sown on the first day of Navratri. Using these sprouts on the day of Dussehra is considered a good omen for good fortune and wealth.

Shastra Pujan

Shastra puja is also performed on this day. There is a religious belief that by worshiping weapons on the tenth day of Shukla Paksha of Ashwin month, one gets the boon of not being defeated in war. Therefore, on Vijayadashami date, army soldiers worship their weapons. Apart from this, common people also worship the weapons kept in their houses. Also, working people also worship their tools.

Ramleela

Ramleela is a dramatic re-enactment of the life of Rama from the Ramayana Purana. The performance is a series of scenes that include dialogue, narration, songs and singing as shown in the play. Ramlila is a traditional performance that takes place during the Dussehra festival in North India and is the most important part of the celebration.

Ashoka Turned to Buddhism on Dussehra

Emperor Ashoka turned to Buddhism on Dussehra, making it an important day for Buddhism in India.