Yashika Goel
On October 5, we shall be celebrating Dussehra this year. In Northern and Western India, it is one of the most widely observed celebrations. However, Vijayadashmi is the name given to Dussehra in West Bengal and Karnataka.
People recreate the legendary Ramayana story, in which Lord Ram kills Ravan a year after he kidnaps Goddess Sita, in different regions of India. Communities make enormous Ravana effigies that people then set ablaze as a symbolic gesture, wish one another, and celebrate the triumph of good over evil.
Why Is Dussehra Called Vijayadashami?
The conclusion of Durga Puja on the tenth day of Navratri coincides with Dussehra. On this day, Mahishasura, a buffalo demon, was destroyed by the Goddess in order to bring back dharma to society.
Vijaya and dashami are the two terms that make up Vijayadashami. Dashami means tenth, and Vijaya represents victory. According to legend, a demon was defeated by Goddess Durga after a nine-day battle.
Durga Goddess Legends
Mahishasura supposedly received a blessing from Lord Brahma. In order to get his attention, he used to worship Lord Brahma. Mahishasura urged Lord Brahma to make sure that no man in the world could murder him because he didn’t think any woman had the strength to do it. Lord Brahma was moved by his devotion. He began destroying the planet after believing he was indestructible as a result of the gift. Gods turned to Goddess Durga for assistance after failing to stop him.
Legends also hold that Goddess Durga, who was able to put an end to Mahishasura’s destruction, was born when Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva, and Lord Vishnu merged their powers. After a 10-day battle between good and evil, the goddess finally vanquished the demon.
South India Celebrates Vijayadashami
The day was commemorated as Mahanavami in the fourteenth century during the rule of the Vijayanagara Empire. The activities included singing and dancing, fireworks, competitions, charity donations, and a military march, according to an Italian traveller. The main location for the Dasara-Vijayadashami celebrations had been Mysore.
This day is celebrated as Dasara in Karnataka. It is a 10-day celebration that devotees of Goddess Durga in her 10 incarnations observe. In addition to Mysore, Bengaluru and Shimoga also host large-scale celebrations.
This day is also observed as a day of homage to Goddess Saraswati in several regions of Southern India. Along with her instrument, she is revered. People frequently implore the Goddess to bestow knowledge upon them when cleaning books, musical instruments, work items, etc.
Numerous festivals in India are associated with various fascinating stories, yet people from all over the nation join together to celebrate festivals with utmost fervor.
