Festivals, Hindu Festivals

Dussehra festival – Durga pooja

India is a country with diverse religion and where one can witness different festivals celebrated with equal zeal and enthusiasm throughout the country. The Dussehra festival falls on the 10th day of the bright moon of Aswiyuja (the Hindu month).

The word Dussehra is made from the combination of two words ‘Dus” means ten and ‘ Hara’ means annihilated.

Whereas, in Northern parts of India, Dussehra is celebrated as the victory of Lord Rama, prince of Ayodhya over the demon Ravana. He abducted Rama’s wife Sita and captivated her in Lanka.  Rama, along with Hanuman, Sugreeva, and others build a long bridge over the ocean and then travels to Lanka to kill Ravana in the war and win Sita back.

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For Hindus, the festival brings occasion to revere of Lord Rama. Stage shows of Ramleela are held all across the country and various cultural programs are organized. On the day of Dussehra, people burn effigies of Ravan, the demon, and his family members.

The real story of Dussehra Festival | Why to celebrate Dussehra

Dasharatha, the father of Rama wanted Rama to be the king of his city Ayodhya. But, the stepmother of Rama, Kaikeyi wanted Bharat (her son) to be the next king of Ayodhya, so she compelled her husband Dasharatha to send his Rama for 14-year exile. And being an ideal son Rama couldn’t deny the father and hence went to live in the forest for 14 years along with his brother Laxman and wife Sita. Lord Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana wandered in the forest for about 13 years.

In the meanwhile, they fought with a number of demons like Soorpankha and killed all of them. But then a demon Ravana kidnapped Sita and Rama had to fight with Ravana, the king of Lanka.

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Rama collected an army of jungle-men who looks like monkeys. One of them was Hanuman, who was called the great devotee of Rama. He decided to help Rama in fighting with the demon Ravana. The war between Rama and Ravana lasted in ten days. And then, on the tenth day, Rama killed Ravana along with his and Megh Natha and brother Kumbha Karna.

A fair is held on this day. So, the Hindus celebrate Dussehra Festival with great pomp and show. The effigies of Ravana, Kumbh Karna, and Megh Natha are burnt.

 

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