On this auspicious festival when the good wins over the evil let s take a pledge to overcome over vices of Kaam (lust) Krodh (anger) Lobh (greed) Moh (attachment) Ahankar (ego) May God give us a new dimension and we lead a spiritual life full of eternal bliss and happiness Wish you a serene and peaceful Dussehra
Dasha Hara is a Sanskrit word which means removal of ten bad qualities within you: Kama vasana (Lust) Krodha (Anger) Moha (Attachment) Lobha (Greed) Mada (Over Pride) Matsara (Jealousy) Swartha (Selfishness) Anyaaya (Injustice) Amanavta (Cruelty) Ahankara (Ego) It s also known as Vijaydashmi means Vijaya of Dashmi Happy Dussehara
In Kashmir Himachal Pradesh Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand it is traditional to plant barley seeds in earthen pots on the first day of Navratri On the day of Dasara the nine-day old sprouts (called noratras or nortas or of nav ratris or nine nights) are used as symbols of luck Men place them in their caps or behind their ears May you get your share of good luck on this festival of Dussehra
On this day in the Treta Yug Shri Ram the seventh incarnation of Vishnu killed the great demon Ravana who had abducted Rama s wife Sita to his kingdom of Lanka Rama his brother Lakshmana their follower Hanuman and an army of monkeys fought a great battle to rescue Sita Rama had performed Chandi Homa and invoked the blessings of Durga who blessed Rama with secret knowledge of the way to kill Ravana On the day of Ashvin Shukla Dashami Rama s party found Sita and defeated Ravana Thus it is termed as Vijaya Dashami Happy Vijaya Dashami
In most of northern India and some parts of Maharashtra Dasha-Hara is celebrated more in honour of Rama During these 10 days many plays and dramas based on Ramayana are performed These are called Ramlila There are outdoor fairs and large parades with effigies of Ravana (a mythical king of ancient Sri Lanka) his brother Kumbhakarna and son Meghanad The effigies are burnt on bonfires in the evening The onset of cold weather is believed to encourage infections The burning of the effigies filled with firecrackers containing phosphorus supposedly purifies the atmosphere On this festival may God Rama bestow you with a healthy wealthy and peaceful life
Vijayadashmi or Dusshera is celebrated on the tenth day of the Hindu autumn lunar month of Ashvin The first nine days are celebrated as Maha Navratri(nine nights) and culminates on the tenth day as Dasara The day marks the victory of Goddess Durga over such demons as Shumbh and Nishumbh It is a day when devotees worship Goddess Shakti Shakti represents strength ability and courage This day also celebrates the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana Dussehra is derived from Sanskrit Dasha-hara meaning remover of bad fate meaning remover of ten heads of Ravana s; and this festival is also referred to as Navratri and Durgotsav May Goddess Durga remove your bad fate and give you success and happiness in your endeavours Happy Dussehra
