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DussehraDussehraDussehraDussehraBy: Lidia Avvakoumova,
Andrea Chiu, Donna Wang, Karissa Chan
What is Dussehra?What is Dussehra?
Celebrated in the month of Avshina (September-October period)
Celebrates the victory of good over evil
Starts from Navrati (a nine-day festival); the 10th day afterwards is Dussehra
Origin of the FestivalOrigin of the FestivalBased on a popular Hindu epic called
Ramayana:The demon Ravana abducts Sita, the
wife of ten-headed Lord RamaRama travels for 9 days to Ravana’s
kingdom to rescue Sita
Origin cont’dOrigin cont’d
On his way he seeks the blessings of Goddess Durga
He defeats Ravana on the 10th day, which is celebrated as Dussehra
Did you know?Dussehra comes from “Dus” meaning “ten”, and “Hara” meaning “annihilated”.
FestivitiesFestivitiesCelebrated by special prayers and puja
of the deities Communities host large parades and
fairs with singing and dancing.On the 10th day of celebration effigies
of Lord Ravana are burned, the highlight of the festival.
Dussehra often marks a new journey in the lives of Hindus
Special DressSpecial Dress
WomenColorful saris, lehenga cholis, salwaar suits, as well as flowers, jewellery and Tikka (red mark on forehead).
Special DressSpecial DressVermillion (red) is
worn by married women
Unmarried girls adorn themselves with light jewellery, bindis (forehead jewellery) etc.
Special DressSpecial Dress
MenColourful traditional hindu clothing: Sherwani, Lungi, KurtaColourful headdresses such as turbans
Food Food It is customary to have traditional
food preparations. Common ones throughout India: Badam Kheer, Besan Burfi, Moong Dal Halwa, Kachori, Jalebi, Paneer Pakora, Radbi and Sandesh
Food Cont’dFood Cont’d
The recipes and dishes have evolved over time since the low-calorie/healthier versions are more popular.
Snacks eaten throughout the daySweets and prasada are eaten
after prayer and when Ravana is burned.
RitualsRituals9 days of celebrations
during Dussehra which mainly involve the puja of Goddess Durga in homes and temples
Nine days and nights dedicated to worshipping divine energy force and power (given off by Durga)
Fasting, vegetarian diets, chanting mantras and religious hymns, praying, meditating and reciting of sacred texts
Rituals Cont’dRituals Cont’dCommunity festivities
have singing, dancing,and dramatic re-enactments of the tale
Ramlila - a personification of the life of Lord Rama. Huge paper or wood effigies of 'Ravana', his son 'Meghnad' and brother 'Kumbhakarna' are set on fire on the 10th day
THE ENDTHE ENDHappy Dussehra!