Dussehra is one of the important festivals for Hindus, celebrated with zeal.
Also termed as Vijayadashmi, it is preceded by Navratri, which has religious
significance associated with it. As per the legends, Dusshera is the day when
Lord Rama killed Ravana and rescued his wife - Sita. Therefore, as a symbol of
victory of good over evil, Dusshera holds a special place among the myriad
festivals that are celebrated by the Hindus. A number of rituals are observed
during the festival. The traditions associated with the celebration of the
festival are very interesting to witness. In this article, we have given
information on the customs and rituals of Dussehra.
Customs & Traditions Of Dusshera
Ramlila
A number of customs are common for Dussehra, in different parts of India, one of
them being Ramlila. The tradition of burning the effigies of Ravana, his brother
Kumbhkarna and son Meghnath on Ramlila is followed since ages, in the northern
parts of the country. During the festival, Ramlila is conducted at a huge ground
or 'maidan'. It is a fair, witnessed by hundreds of people, every year.
Oversized effigies (of Ravana, Meghnath and Kumbhkarna) are constructed a month
prior to the festival. They are filled with crackers and erected on the eve of
Dussehra, at the Ramlila maidan.
Artists disguised as Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshman and Ravana head towards the
maidan, with the procession of people, amidst the bursting of crackers. After
arriving at the maidan, a small drama is enacted by the artists, depicting the
climax of the war between Lord Rama and Ravana. As the climax approaches, the
artist, acting as Rama, shoots an arrow towards the effigy of Ravana, in order
to set it on fire. Subsequently, the effigy catches fire and then bursts. This
is witnessed by hundreds of people, who rejoice on the 'defeat' of Ravana by
Rama.
Visarjan Of Idol
In the eastern parts of the country, particularly in West Bengal, Durga Puja
celebrations precede Dusshera. On the tenth day of the Pooja, that is, the day
of Vijayadashmi, idol of Goddess Durga is immersed into the nearby river or
lake, by the devotees. The devotees bid the farewell to the deity very
ceremoniously, amidst a procession that sings Devi Songs and dances to the tune
of dholaks (traditional drums). This custom is called 'Visarjan'. In the region,
Vijayadashmi is celebrated to commemorate the victory of Ma Durga over
Mahishasura, whom she killed.
Vidyarambam
The tenth day or Vijayadashmi is also the day of Vidyarambam (beginning of
study) in the southern states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. People in the
region worship Goddess Saraswati, the Hindu Goddess of Wisdom, on Vijayadashmi.
In the morning of the day, after a Puja, the books and implements (such as pen
and musical instruments) are removed from the room. Thereafter, literates write
a few alphabets on rice or sand and read out a few sentences from sacred books.
It is considered auspicious to start learning any art form, such as music and
dance, on this day.. |
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