Dussehra and Dashami: The beginning and the end
Dussehra is celebrated on the tenth day of the Hindu month of Ashwin. This festival is celebrated not just in India, but in some of our neighbouring countries as well. Much zeal is put into the celebration of this festival in Nepal and Bangladesh.
This day apart from the famed defeat of Ravana Rama, also marks the beginning of the harvest season with farmers praying for a rich crop.
Dussehra also marks the end of the incognito life. The five brothers had hidden their divine weapons in the hole of a shami tree. On this day, they announced their identities and reclaimed their weapons after a year.
This day is also celebrated as Dashami. Mahishashura, the demon who managed to amass the power to defeat Gods was running rampant. The Gods combined their powers and thus, Goddess Durga was born. Legend says that the battle between Durga and Mahishashura raged on for nine days and nine nights. Finally, on the tenth day, Mahishashura was defeated the Goddess.
It is also believed that throughout the years, Goddess Durga comes down from her adobe in the Kailash mountains to visit the earthly realm of mortals. She comes with her sons and daughters. On the tenth day, known as Dashami, she leaves for her home back in the Kailash Mountains.
The day of Dussehra, known as Vijayadashami is celebrated at the end of Navaratri every year. It also marks the end of the Ramleela and the victory of good over evil.
All in all, Dussehra, Dashami, Vijayadashmi; whatever you call it, is a festival that glorifies the victory of good over evil. It is the restoration of dharma, the slaying of demons, the epitomisation of purity and divinity. Dussehra is here today. May it bring blessing for all and we wish everyone a Happy Dussehra.
