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Dussehra is celebrated by the Hindus. It is the last day of Durga Puja or Navaratri. Generally, this day falls in the month of October. The literal meaning of Dussehra means taking away of ten sins. This festival celebrates the defeat of Ravana, the evil, by Lord Rama, the virtuous.

During the nine days preceding Dussehra, �Ramlila� is held where the legend of life of Lord Rama is enacted. On the tenth day big effigies of Ravana is set afire.

Celebration Of Dussehra In Different Parts Of India

In West Bengal goddess Durga is worshipped in gorgeous Puja Pandals (temporary temples). Goddess Durga is the supreme female deity. The Durga Puja is celebrated with pomp and glory with different montages and collages as decoration. Creativity and celebration fever run high. This is a time for enjoyment for the tummy too. During the festival the region gets infested with stalls offering lip-smacking delicacies and guests are treated with traditional sweets and gifts.

In Gujarat, Navaratri is celebrated with vivacious �garba� and �dandiyaras� dances.

Mysore, the city of palaces of Karnataka wakes up in royal style during the ten-day Dussehra festival. Various lights illuminate the Mysore Palace. The calm city cheers up with majestic processions, a torch light parade and dance and music. The protector deity of Karnataka is goddess Chamunda, whose mount is a caparisoned elephant.

In Himachal Pradesh, idols of local deities are carried round the town in a colorful procession. Homage is paid to the main deity Raghunathji. A weeklong colorful fair is held at the hill town of Kullu.

In Varanasi, occurs the most extravagant climax of the legend of Rama. The huge images of Ravana are set aflame.

The Legends That Tells The Tale Of Dussehra

In Eastern, Western and Southern India the festival of Navaratri celebrates the death of the demon Mahishasura by goddess Durga, also revered by the name of Chamundeshwari or Mahishasura Mardini.

In North India, Dussehra celebrates the victory of Lord Rama on Ravana, the ruler of Lanka. Ravana abducted Sita Devi, the wife of Rama and held her captive in Ashokavana in Lanka. Rama with the help of his brother Laxman and allies like Sukhrib, Hanuman and others killed Ravana. Lord Rama worshipped goddess Durga for the preceding nine days prior to the tenth day of his triumph.

The word �Dus� means �ten�; it is the day of annihilation of 10 evils. Ravana�s ten faces are the symbol of ten evil facets of human life. And the death of Ravana by Rama signifies the death of evil in the hand of virtue.

Dussehra is the time for us to get victory over our evil sides and celebrate the goodness of human life.