Dussehra is celebrated with much Joy and happiness all over the country.Dussehra festival or Vijayadashami is major indian festival celebrated in Ashwin month according to the Hindu calendar. This day falls in the month of September or October. Here is Some Information about Dussehra Festival celebration of Different states of India.
Dussehra Celebration North India
In North India, the Dussehra celebrations include the Ram Lila.The festivities are marked by renditions that consist of stylized plays, recitations and music that recall the life of the legendary hero,Rama , throughout the nine day worship of Goddess Durga.On the tenth day, elaborate processions lead to the Ram Lila ground.
Brilliantly decorated tableaux and processions are taken out depicting various episodes from Rama's life.On the tenth day or the Vijayadashami, colossal effigies of Ravana, his brother kumbhkarna and son Meghnand are placed in vast open spaces.Actors dressed as Rama, his consort Sita and Brother Laxmana arrive and shoot arrows of fire at these effigies, which are stuffed with firecrackers.The result is a deafening blast and an explosion of sound and light enhanced by the souts of merriment and triumph from the spectators.
Dussehra of Kullu
Kullu , a small town in Himachal Pradesh, is witness to unique celebrations.Since the times of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Dussehra celebrations here begin three days after they do in the rest of India.
On the first day of the festival, the idol o f Raghunathji is mounted on a splendid rath(chariot) and pulled from its permanent place in the Dholpur maiden to another part of the meadow.Before beinning the auspicious ceremony of pulling the rath, the descendants of Ranjit Singh circle round it, offering prayers.
On the second day , a Devta Durbar(Council of Gods) is held , with Raghunathji presiding.On the last day of the festival, the chariot of Raghunathji is drawn with great fanfare to the banks of the river Beas.Here a pile of wood and grass is set on fire to symbolize the burning of Lanka and five animals a crab, acock, a fish, a buffalo and a male goat are sacrificed.The people then immerse themselves in revelry.Lugri, the traditional Kullu drink, flows by the litre.
Dussehra in South India
Dussehra Celebration in Tamil Nadu
In Tamil Nadu, the first three days are dedicated to the worship of Lakshmi Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity the next three days are devoted to the worship of Saraswati Goddess of Learning and Arts while the last three days are devoted to worshiping Durga Goddess of Shakti.
In Tamil Nadu , Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka,families decorate dolls (Bommai Kolu) and prepare an elaborate spread of lamps and flowers.Women traditionally exchange gifts of coconuts, clothes and sweets.Vijayadashmi is also considered an auspicious occasion for children to commence their education in classical dance and music, and to pay homage to their teachers.
Dussehra Celebration in kerala
In Kerala, children are initiated and set on the course of schooling and learning on this auspicious day of Vijayadashmi.
This function is also known as Vijayaambham, i.e, beginning of learning.Rice is spread on a tray and seating the new vidyarthi (student) on his lap, the father holds the right hand of the child and guise it to write a finger " Hari Shri Ganpathaye namaha."
Dussehra Celebration in West Bengal
In West Bengal and other parts pf eastern India, Dussehra is celebrated as Durga Puja.Devotees wear new clothes and celebrate with music, dance and drama.
On the last day, images of the warrior goddess are taken out in procession and immersed in river or the sea.
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