Dussehra is round the corner and the azure sky of autumn gives us the festive feelings. Our heart is filled with joy and enthusiasm to celebrate the festival. Dussehra is all about celebrating victory of good over evil. It is one of the most popular festival of India that is celebrated almost each and every part of the country. In this article, I am going to share ten most interesting facts about Dussehra that everyone should know.
What is special about Dussehra?
Dussehra, also known as Vijaydashami, is celebrated all over India. The word Dussehra has been derived from the sanskrit word “dasa” means ten and “hara” means defeat. The festival marks the defeat of ten headed Ravana by lord Rama because Ravana abducted lord Rama’s wife Sita. And also when goddess Durga defeated the demon Mahishasura. Hence Dussehra celebrates the battle between Maa Durga and Mahishasura and Vijaydashami is the day of ultimate defeat of evil over good i.e the end of the demon Mahishasura.
Why Dussehra is celebrated for 10 days?
Dussehra is the longest celebrated festival of 10 days when everyone is in their joyful mood. Most of the schools and educational institutions have holidays for 10 days. Dussehra is celebrated for 10 days as it is believed that the battle between lord Rama and Ravana went on for 10 days as well the war between Maa Durga and Mahishasura also went for 10 days.
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Interesting Facts About Dussehra You Must Know
Here are the 10 facts of Dussehra that everyone must know.
1) During Dussehra it is believed that Goddess Durga with her four children Saraswati, Lakshmi, Karthik and Ganesh come back to her home place and stay for 10 days. Therefore its a gala time for everyone during these ten days. And on the day of Dussehra, Maa Durga with her four children return back to her husband lord Shiva
2) It is said that first grand celebration of Dussehra was in Mysore in 17th century. And there it is celebrated as Dasara by worshiping Goddess Chamundeswari. The whole city is decked up with lights and colors.
3) In northern parts of India it is celebrated as Navaratri which means nine nights to celebrate the different avatars of Maa Durga.
4) Dussehra is not only celebrated in India but also celebrated in Bangladesh, Nepal and Malaysia.
5) An important part of Dussehra celebration is Ramleela which means to mark the victory of Lord Rama, an effigy of Ravana with ten heads is burnt in many parts of the country. The most grand celebration of Ramleela happens in Ramleela Maidan Of Delhi.
6) On Dussehra, Emperor Ashoka converted into Buddhism.
7) Dussehra celebration in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh is also notable because of its large fair and parade with a huge gathering of people.
8) Dussehra is also known as harvesting festival of farmers as they start harvesting the kharif crops and after diwali they start sowing rabi crops.
9) Dussehra marks the change of season i.e the beginning of cooler and pleasant climate after rainy season.
10) On Dussehra sprouts are used as a symbol of luck. Men use to put them in their caps or behind their ears.
