Happy Dussehra 2023 to all! The auspicious occasion of Dussehra, also popularly known as Vijayadashami, will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 24. Dussehra is one such festival that unifies the nation, celebrating the victory of good over evil. It is one of the major Hindu festivals celebrated every year at the end of Navaratri, i.e., on the tenth day of the month of Ashvin, which usually corresponds to the Gregorian calendar months of September or October. Vijayadashami is celebrated differently in various parts of India. In the southern, eastern, northeastern, and some northern states of India, Vijayadashami marks the end of Durga Puja, remembering goddess Durga's victory against the buffalo demon Mahishasura to restore and protect dharma. In the northern, central, and western states, it marks the end of Ramlila and commemorates Lord Rama's victory over the demon king Ravana. As Dussehra 2023 nears, here are legends associated with the popular festival. Dussehra 2023: 171-Feet-Tall Ravana Effigy to Be Burnt in Haryana's Panchkula on Vijayadashami.
Lord Rama’s Victory Over Ravana
Dussehra or Vijayadashami marks the culmination of the nine-day-long Navaratri celebrations. Dedicated to the nine avatars of Maa Durga, the festival spans over for nine nights. The Shukla Paksha on the 10th day of Ashwin is celebrated as Dussehra. The most popular legend associated with Dussehra is the triumph of Vishnu’s Rama avatar over the demon king of Lanka, Ravana, who abducted Rama’s wife, Sita.
As per Hindu mythology, Ravana, the king of Lanka, had kidnapped Goddess Sita, the wife of Lord Rama. Ravana kidnapped Sita and took her to his kingdom, Lanka, where he held her captive. To get his wife back, Lord Rama travelled to Lanka with an army of monkeys, Lakshman and Lord Hanuman. Finally, Lord Rama killed Ravana on the tenth day of the battle, which is celebrated as Dussehra. Dashain 2023 Date in Nepal: Know Time, Puja Vidhi and Significance of Nepali Festival Marking the End of Durga Puja.
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Goddess Durga's Victory Over Mahishasura
However, this is not the only story in Indian mythology that is tied to Dussehra. Another popular story associated with Dusshera is the festival signifies the victory of good over evil with the killing of Mahishasura, a demon, by Goddess Durga. The battle between the Durga Maa and Mahishasura lasted for ten days, and on the tenth day, the Goddess killed Mahishasura, who wanted to rule the three worlds– Deva loka, the Prithvi loka, and Patala loka. This marks the Dusshera celebration.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 24, 2023 09:42 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).