Dussehra, a ten day long festival is celebrated throughout the country with great religious beliefs. According to the Hindu calendar this important festival of the Hindus falls in the second fortnight of the month of ‘Ashwyn’. It is the festival of victory and triumph, the victory of good over evil.
In Northern India, the life of Lord Rama is enacted as Ramlila for nine nights and on the tenth day the effigies of Ravana along with his brother Kumbhakarna and son Meghnad are burnt with a lot of fanfare. It is believed that in order to conquer Ravana, Rama had prayed to Goddess Durga for nine days and on the tenth, he succeeded in slaying Ravana. Tools, weapons, cattle and books, which represent knowledge and learning, are worshipped.
In North-East huge decorated idols of Goddess Durga are worshipped for nine days and immersed into the sea or river on the tenth day amidst religious chants. A variety of cultural programs are also presented in the public pandals where Durga Pooja is held.
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In the West Goddess Saraswati is also worshipped along with Goddess Durga. Navratri is celebrated with nine nights of Ras and Garba dancing. On Dussehra day, the leaves of the ‘shami’ tree, referred to as gold, are presented to friends and relatives.
In Southern India, a wonderful display of dolls is the manner of celebrating Dussehra. A small pot known as ‘Kalash’ which symbolizes the Goddess of strength and fertility is worshipped.
In big cities, however, all these rituals, customs and traditions have got mingled as everybody has a good time celebrating the festival in their own way. Even in this happy mix the importance of the festival remains and reminds the people that good shall always prevail over evil.