Dussehra is an important festival in India. It is largely celebrated by the Hindus. It falls in the month of September-October. It is celebrated twenty days earlier than Diwali. It marks the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana. Ram symbolizes good and Ravana represents evil.
Dussehra is celebrated with great pomp and show. In different parts of the country it is celebrated differently. In West Bengal it is celebrated with the worship of goddess Durga while in the south, it is celebrated as victory of good over evil.
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Dussehra is celebrated for ten days. Preparations for the festival start many days earlier. A big fair is held. Shops and stalls are erected near the place where the goddess is worshipped. The effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarana and Meghnad are prepared. Ram Lila is enacted during the nights. Different events of the life of Lord Rama is dramatised in the Ram Lila. There is great hustle and bustle during the Ram Lila. Thousands of men, women and children gather in the Ram Lila ground to enjoy the show.
On the tenth day, there is a great fair. Huge number of people comes to watch the show. Children are particularly in a mood to fun and enjoyment. They wear new clothes. There are shops of many kinds. The toy sellers and sweet sellers have a good business on this day. Women can be seen in large numbers around the chat stall. Shops of toys are crowded with children. Children also like to buy balloons. Everyone is happy and enjoys himself. The whole environment wears a festive look.
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In the evening the fair is in full swing. Tableaus depicting the life and time of Lord Rama are on display. The actors playing the role of Lord Rama, Sita, Hanuman and Lakshaman are taken out in procession. The procession ends in the Ram
Lila ground. There is a fight between Ram and Ravana there. Ravana is killed. There is a great rejoicing after the act. Then the tall effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarana and Meghnad are set on fire. The effigies are stuffed with crackers. They start burning with great bang of crackers. Within no time the effigies are reduced to ashes. There is a huge crowd of spectators.
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Thus, the festival comes to an end on this day. People go back to their homes. There is a sea of people all around. It is difficult to find way in the crowd. Dussehra is a festival of joy. It reminds us of the victory of good over evil.