Festive india

Also known as Vijayadashami, the festival of Dussehra is celebrated differently in various parts of India

The us winter and festival overtakes as the season cooler the is warm upon air of summer breeze, it’s time to gear up for the festival of Dussehra. Celebrated at the end of Navratri every year, Dussehra or Durga Puja is observed on the 10th day in the Hindu calendar month of Ashvin or Kartik which falls in the Gregorian months of September and October. Also known as Vijayadashami, the festival is celebrated differently in various parts of India. In the southern, eastern and northeastern states, Vijayadashami marks the end of Durga Puja, recalling the goddess Durga’s victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura. In the northern and western states, it heralds the victory of Lord Rama over the powerful demon king, Ravana, thereby signifying the victory of good over evil. Legend states that Ravana

kidnapped Lord Rama’s wife Sita and in a bid to get her back a powerful battle was fought during which, Ravana was killed. The slaying of the 10 heads of Ravana is how the festival got its name (Dus-hara). In Delhi this story is enacted as the Ramlila over nine days after which the effigy of Ravana is ceremoniously burnt. In other cities like Varanasi the story is acted out by street artistes before the pubic every evening for a month. In the hill state of Kullu in Himachal Pradesh the occasion is marked by a large fair and parade witnessed by thousands of people. A special feature here is the arrival of floats containing deities from nearby regions. In Karnataka, the Mysore Palace is illuminated and the procession

and celebrations are a major tourist attraction. It is said that the festival played a historical role in the 14th century Vijayanagara Empire, where it was called Mahanavami. The Italian traveller Niccolò de’ Conti described the festival’s importance as a “grandeur religious and martial event with royal support. The event revered Durga as the warrior goddess (some texts refer to her as Chamundeshwari). The celebrations hosted athletic competitions, singing and dancing, fireworks, a pageantry military parade and charitable giving to the public.” (Christopher John Fuller (2004). The Camphor Flame: Popular Hinduism and Society in India. Princeton University Press). In Bengal, Kolkata comes to a standstill as the festival of Durga Puja is celebrated with much fanfare

and sees fervour. various The puja 10-day pandals festival with huge idols of Goddess Durga being erected. While references to Durga Puja in Bengal can be found as far back as the middle-ages, the festival did not become popular among the wealthy landowners of Bengal, until the 17th and 18th centuries. Over the years, both the icons and the pandals have got more and more elaborate, and each year fierce competitions are held among neighbourhoods for the best pandals and puja themes (past themes have run the gamut from the ancient Egyptians to Harry Potter!). The 10th day, also known as Dashami marks the Visarjan (immersion in water) of the idol with grand celebrations and processions. Durga Puja was celebrated on October 8 this year.