Dusshera 29 09 09

In the months of Ashwin and kartik, Hindus observe a 10 day ceremony of fast, rituals, celebrations, fiests to honor the mother Goddess and triumph of Lord Rama over Demon Ravana. Dussehra also symbolizes the triumph of warrior

Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon, Mahishasura. Thus, it is a celebration of victory of good over evil.

This celebration starts from Navratri and ends with the tenth day festival of “Dussehra”. Navratri and Dussehra is celebrated throughout the country at the same time, with varying rituals, but with great enthusiasm and energy.

According to Scriptures, by worshipping the 'Shakti' on these nine-days the householders

attain the threefold power i.e. physical, mental and spiritual, which helps him to progress in life

without any difficulty.

The tenth day after Navratri is called Dussehra, on which number of fairs are organized throughout the northern India,

burning effigies of Ravana

It is also called “Vijayadashmi” as this day marks the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana. VijayaDashami is considered to be an

auspicious day for the Indian householder, on which he worships, protects and preserves 'Shakti' (power).

The 'Ramlila' - an enactment of the life of

Lord Rama, is held during the nine days

preceding Dussehra. On the tenth day (Dussehra or Vijay Dasami), larger

than life effigies of Ravana, his son and

brother - Meghnadh and Kumbhakarna are set to

fire.

In burning the effigies the people are asked to burn the

evil within them, and thus follow the path of truth and goodness, bearing in mind

the instance of Ravana, who despite all his might and

majesty was destroyed for his evil ways.