October 15, 2015 TnH Global 3

Different Shades of Dussehra Celebration in Different Parts of the World

Celebrate Dussehra and Navratri by traveling across different parts of India and world. Every part of India and world celebrate this colorful festival with a different style. Choose your favorite destination and indulge in the festivity!

India is becoming a ‘Land of Festivals’ that has several cultures have, over the centuries, made India a land of everlasting festivals. Every small occasion, from welcoming the spring or rain or the harvesting of crops, to seeing the full moon lends itself to joyous celebrations splashed with colours, music, folk dances and songs. Known with different names like, ‘Vijayadashami’, or ‘Dasara’ or ‘Dashain’ or ‘Durgotsav’ or Tenth day of holy Navratri, ‘Dussehra’ is amongst the most significant Hindu festival celebrated across India and other countries like, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The name Dussehra is derived from Sanskrit word “Dasha-hara”, which literally means Dashanan Ravan [name of devil & in short Dasha and Hara (defeat)] and actually referred to Lord Rama’s victory over the ten-headed demon king Ravana. This holy day also marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasur, She fought with evils for 9 nights and 10 days, therefore the name Vijayadashami is derived from the Sanskrit words “Vijaya-dashami” literally meaning the victory on the dashami (in which Dashmi is the tenth lunar day of the Hindu calendar month).

Dussehra is celebrated by different ways in different part of India. Here, we have mentioned some of the important regions:

Northern India

In major northern states like, Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Uttarakhand and western Bihar, it is famous tradition to plant barley seeds in earthen pots on the first day of Navratri. On the day of Dasara, the nine-day-old sprouts are used as symbols of luck. Men place them in their caps or behind their ears. Besides the Navratri Pujan and fasts, Dussehra is celebrated more in honour of Lord Rama. During these 10 days, plays and dramas – “Ramlila” is performed based on different chapters of Ramayana. Also, there are outdoor fairs organized and on the day the effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhakarna and son Meghanad are burnt to conclude the celebrations.

In the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, the Dasara festival starts with unique performance of Ramlila based on the musical rendering of the katha (or story) of Lord Rama. This style of Ramlila is based on the theatrical traditions set by Uday Shankar during his stay in Almora, which were later enriched by Mohan Upreti and Brijendra Lal Sah. Renowned as the Almora or Kumaon style, Ramlila has been recognized by UNESCO in its 2008 report as one of the representative styles of Ramlila across India.

In the state of Himachal Pradesh, the Kullu Dussehra is a famous International Mega Dussehra festival, which is observed during the month of October. In this mega celebration, over 4-5 Lac people visits the fair from all across the globe. Kullu Dussehra is celebrated in the Dhalpur maidan of Kullu valley. It commences on the tenth day of the rising moon, i.e. on ‘Vijay Dashmi’ day itself and continues for seven days. The history related to 17th century, when local King Jagat Singh installed an idol of Raghunath on his throne as a mark of penance. After this practice, Lord Raghunath was declared as the ruling deity of the Valley. This International festival of Kullu Dussehra allures tourists from across the globe. Enjoy the traditional folk music and dance during the fair. Shop for authentic handicrafts, especially the traditional Pattu patterned shawl or cap. You can also enjoy your stay in the beautiful valley of Himachal and further move to Manali as excursion.

Southern India

Vijayadashami or Dussehra is celebrated in various ways in different regions of South India. This day is observed to express gratitude to everything which brings success in life. Celebrations take many forms, ranging from worshipping the goddess Chamundeshwari (Durga) to exhibiting colorful toys-, celebrated as Golu in Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu from Navratri onwards. The concluding event in Andhra Pradesh, the Theppotsavam (boat festival) is a striking event held on Vijaya Dasami at Krishna – Thungabhadra Sangamam.

On Vijaydashami day, the conclusion of a colorful 10-day celebration of the Mysore Dasara, the goddess Chamundeshwari is worshiped and then borne in a grand procession on a Golden Ambari (or elephant-mounted throne) across the city of Mysore, right from the historical Mysore Palace to the Dasara parade ground. Don’t forget to catch up the view of delightful Mysore Palace decorated with over 100,000 lights decorate.

Western India

In West Bengal, Dussehra is majorly celebrated as Durga Puja. In fact, Durga Puja is the most awaited festival of the state and celebrated with great zeal, especially in Kolkata. Durga Puja is an event which converts the whole city. During this time, you will see, over crowded streets, huge pooja pandals, minarets, domes, mountain cliffs, and dazzling lighting representing the current scenario or current affairs making these 4 days of Durga Pujo in Kolkata an unforgettable event. On the fifth day (Vijaya Dashami), these statues are immersed joyful in a river or pond. After enjoying the pandal and poojas, you must try the delicious food served on the occasion. Don’t forget to enjoy the sweets and most importantly, the famous egg rolls. Kolkata is very well connected by air with its Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, which receives flights from different parts of the world. Stay as long as you want and explore this city’s magnificent beauty.

Eastern India

In Gujarat, Dussehra is celebrated as Navratri when Goddess Durga is majestically revered for nine days. Ahmedabad is one of the best places to enjoy Navratri. During this time, the atmosphere is full of revelry. During all of the nine nights, you will get to witness the traditional ‘Rasa-Garbas’, ‘Dandia ras’, which is perhaps the longest celebration in the world. Once in the city, you must enjoy the delicious Gujarati cuisine. Apart from Ahmedabad, you can witness the festivity of Navratri across the other cities of state.

Unique Celebration of Dussehra

“Dasain” in Nepal

Dussehra called ‘Dasain’ is the major festival of the year in Nepal that falls in September / October. This festival is celebrated with great zeal and fervor by both, Hindu and non-Hindu Nepalis. Among the Newars, it is referred to as ‘Mohani’. On the eighth day of the festival, people offer sacrifice of goats, buffalo, chicken etc. in favor of goddess Durga. The meat is greatly consumed after the sacrifice taken as the gift of god. The 10th day of Dasain is Vijayadashami; on which elders put Tika and Jamara on the forehead of younger members of the family. Jamara is sown on the first day of the festival which becomes greenish yellow of about 10–20 cm length symbolizing symbol of victory. Depending upon the relationship, people offer ‘Dakshina’ after receiving the Tika and Jamara. The celebration attracts a lot of foreign tourists to Nepal.

Dussehra in Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, similar to Bengal, it is a five-day-long festival and celebrated in different mandaps (congregation) containing Maa Durga’s clay statues. The largest festival is celebrated at Dhakeshwari temple and Ramakrishna missionary in the country’s capital, Dhaka. On the day of Vijayadashmi (Dussehra), clay statues of the Goddess Durga are submerged in rivers. The pooja is performed with turmeric and other pooja items, which are added to the river to help the water yield better crops.

Trivia: Ancient Stories Related to Dussehra

This festival is relevant to many ancient Hindu epics and stories like, Ramayana, Mahishasur Vaddha by Maa Durga and the end of Agyatawas of Pandavas (the five acknowledged sons of Pandu).