Dussehra – Vijaydashami

Dussehra or Vijaydashami is one of the most important Hindu festivals celebrated all across India and Nepal and also some parts of Bangladesh. Vijay in Hindi means victory and dashami means the tenth day; the festival observes victory of Lord Ram over the ten-headed demon king Ravana, and this particular day happened to fall on tenth day of the bright fortnight of Hindu month of Ashvin (September-October) and hence the name Vijaydashami. The celebrations are actually ten days long, Dussehra being the tenth and the last day. The first nine days are also called Navratre during which Goddess Durga is worshipped in her many forms.

It is believed that the powerful demon king Ravana was tormenting the saintly people during that time and Lord Ram, believed to be seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, took advent specifically to kill this evil demon and protect the saintly people. To cut the long story small, Lord Ram was exiled to forest for 14 years by His step mother, and during the 13^th year of their exile, Ravana abducted Mother Sita, the consort of Lord Ram. Thus ensued a fierce battle, which ended with the killing of the demon king and the day he was killed, is celebrated as Dussehra or Vijaydashami.

Effigies of Ravana are burnt during this day during the evening time. A lot of outdoor fairs are organised and large parades are also taken out depicting different events of Lord Ram’s life. Throughout Northern India, Ram-lilas’ (dramatic version of epic Ramayana) are organised which go on for all ten days of the festival and are a big attraction both for children and adults. Ardent Hindus also offer special worship to Deities and it is not unusual to see people with a red vermillion mark on their forhead.