Dussehra is exceptionally popular festival of Hindus in India . This festival is also known as Vijayadashmi (Vijay+Dashmi 'Vijay' means victory & 'Dashmi' means tenth day). On the day of dashmi, Lord Rama killed the demon-king named Ravana and rescued his abducted wife Sita. In other words, it indicates the victory of good over evil. The well-known victory is modernized to the day. In the northern parts of India , huge dummies of Ravana, his giant brother Kumbhkarna and son Meghnath are placed in vast open grounds. Both fireworks and crackers are placed inside the mannequins.
Lord Rama, his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana enact the final moments of the battle, at the Ramlila ground. After the enactment of the climax of the battle with Ravana, the character playing Rama shoots an arrow with a flaming tip at the dummies from a safe distance and the crowd bursts up in cheer, as the crackers catch fire. The fervor and the cheers sometimes even drown the vociferous blast. Cheerfulness proceeds, as persons indulge themselves games, dance and music that are held at the fair. Thus Dussehra (Vijayadashmi) is celebrated by Hindus all over India .
The festival of Dussehra (Vijayadashmi) is celebrated in different ways in various part of India . In
West Bengal , puja pandals have beautifully decorated statue of the goddess Durga Maa and people gather here in large numbers to take pleasure in the festivities. In
Gujarat , the thrilled Navaratri celebrations include dancing the lively "Garba" and "Dandiya Ras" dances. In
Himachal Pradesh , a week -long fair in the hill town of Kullu , is a part of the Dussehra festivities. From the little temples in the hills, deities are brought in demo to the 'maidan' in Kullu, to pay reverence to the reigning deity, Raghunathji. The city of palaces in
Karnataka celebrates the ten day Dussehra in a royal style. The
Mysore Palace is illuminated with a myriad lights. Majestic processions, a torch light parade and dance and musical events enliven the tranquil city.
