Happy Dussehra (Vijayadashami) with Khabri

Happy Dussehra (Vijayadashami) with Khabri

Dussehra, also referred to as Dasara or Vijayadashami, is a revered Hindu holiday that commemorates the triumph of good over evil.

The festival is celebrated in honor of Rama, an avatar of Vishnu, who defeated the 10-headed demon king Ravana, that had abducted Rama’s wife, Sita. The name of the festival is derived from the Sanskrit words dasha (“ten”) and hara (“defeat”), symbolizing the victory of Lord Rama over the ten-headed demon king Ravana. The festival falls on the 10th day of the month of Ashvina (September–October), coinciding with the appearance of the full moon, an event called the “bright fortnight” (shukla paksha). Dussehra also coincides with the culmination of the nine-day Navratri festival and the tenth day of the Durga Puja festival. For many, it marks the beginning of preparation for Diwali, which occurs 20 days after Dussehra.

Dussehra is a significant Hindu festival that is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm and joy.

In North India, it is marked by the performance of Ram Lila, a grand theatrical reenactment of Lord Rama's life story. During this festival, effigies of Ravana, Meghnada (Ravana's son), and Kumbhakarna (Ravana's brother) are made and filled with firecrackers. These effigies are then set ablaze at night in open fields, creating a beautiful spectacle of fireworks. The festival is a symbol of the victory of good over evil and is celebrated with great fervour and zeal.