Why Dussehra is celebrated and what is the importance of this festival?

Dussehra is one of the most important Hindu festivals that is celebrated on the tenth day of Navratri with great pomp and show. The word Dussehra is made up of two words, 'Dasha' meaning ten heads and 'hara' means defeat. This year, Dussehra will be observed on October 15th.

Dussehra also marks the day when Goddess Durga fought with the demon Mahishasura’s army and slew the buffalo demon once and for all. This is the reason Dussehra is also known as Vijaya Dashami.

Why Dussehra is celebrated?

Dussehra signifies the victory of Dharma over Adharma. Years ago, King named Dasharatha desired to honor  Lord Ram, his eldest son, as the King of Ayodhya. People in the kingdom were fortunate about the decision and were enthusiastically awaiting the coronation ceremony. But Queen Kaikeyi wanted her son Bharata to be the King of Ayodhya. So, on the day of the ceremony, she claims two boons that King Dashratha had given her years back. She demands that  Lord Rama should be exiled in the forests for 14 years and asks for Bharata to be honored as the King of Ayodhya.

 

King Dashratha with a heavy heart gives her these boons. After that, Lord Rama was sent into exile for 13 years along with his wife, Goddess Sita, and his brother Lakshman. They surrendered all royal luxuries and wandered in the forests. During their final year in exile, a demon by the name of Surpanakha tries to seduce the two brothers. She fails and then tries to kill Goddess Sita. However, Lakshman in anger stops her and chops off her ears and nose. 

 

Wounded and humiliated, Surpanakha returns to her brother Ravan, the evil leader of Lanka.  Ravana vows to revenge his sister’s humiliation and decides to kidnap Goddess Sita. One day, when Lord Ram came out of his house, Ravana took advantage of that movement and kidnapped his wife and brought her to his kingdom, where he asks her to marry him. Sita rejects as she is devoted to Lord Rama.  

 

Ravana then holds her captive in the Ashoka grove. As soon as Lord Rama and Lakshmana learn about this, they set out to save Goddess Sita. On the way, they meet Lord Hanuman, who is a loyal devotee of Lord Rama. After Hanuman lands in Lanka, he locates the goddess  Sita and convinces her that Lord Rama will soon come to rescue her.  Once Hanuman notifies Lord Rama about goddess Sita’s safety, they all proceed towards Lanka.

A huge battle happens between the soldiers of Lord Rama and the demon Ravana. Lord Ram kills most of the Ravans army and confronts the ten-headed Ravana. After a tough battle between the two, Lord Rama defeated demon Ravana and met with Goddess Sita. Once their exile is over, they all head following to Ayodhya, where Lord Rama is finally crowned as the King of Ayodhya.

Importance of this festival?

This day marks the victory of good over evil. People from all over India celebrate the day by conducting pooja, havan, and feeding small girls, who are recognized human incarnations of Goddess Durga. On this day, people also burn the giant effigies or dummies of Demon Ravana, his son Meghnad and brother Kumbhakaran as a symbol of victory.

Dussehra marks the end of Navratri and the beginning of Diwali, which falls twenty days after Dussehra. In many states of India, it marks the end of Ramlila. The enthusiasm is for Lord Rama's winning over the demon Ravana.

Writer - Sahil Madaan

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