One of the most significant festivals is Dussehra, which is a significant festival observed by adherents of the Hindu religion. Dussehra is celebrated with great enthusiasm and dedication all over the country. This festival is eagerly anticipated by everyone. Dussehra is also known as Vijayadashami in some parts of India. The “victory of good over evil” is the central theme of this festival, which has one teaching. This festival signifies the triumph of good over evil and carries its own significance. The main outcome of this festival is that truth always prevails over lies, goodness prevails over evil, and darkness prevails over light. As a result, despite the fact that everyone in the country celebrates this festival with the same spirit, their beliefs about it may differ from one another. This festival is celebrated by people all over the country with a lot of fun, excitement, and enthusiasm. The celebrations were unaffected by the country’s diverse cultures. People’s spirit doesn’t change anywhere in the country. When Lord Rama defeats Ravana, the festival of Dussehra is observed. Before Dussehra, people used to perform Ram-Leela. People then make and burn statues of Ravana and his brothers on the day of Dussehra. This teaches a significant lesson about the triumph of good over evil. This festival basically stands for the idea that good deeds will always win out over bad deeds. This festival has mythological underpinnings. The infamous demon Mahisasura caused trouble and torture for the heaven and earth inhabitants. He also frightened other heavenly Gods. The Goddess Durga emerged from fire as a result of their sincere prayer and request. Goddess Durga appeared in front of the demon as an example of Shakti, or strength and bravery. She killed the demon because the demon was seduced by her beauty. Heaven and Earth both received relief from his passing. Dussehra is celebrated in her honour.
Dussehra is a festival that lasts ten days. It is known as Navaratri in the northern part of India. Goddess Durga is the object of worship during the nine-day fast. They eat enormous feasts and break their fast on the ninth day of the celebration. As a custom, they dance “Garba” or “Dandiya. “Fairs are attended and new clothes are worn. They exchange sweets with one another. The country’s economy benefits greatly from this extravagant ten-day festival. During this festival, pendals, statues, idols, and decorators are made by a lot of people. This festival is beneficial to the sweet shops, local vendors, priests, and theatre goers. Additionally, the government cleans the areas before and after the festival.
Dussehra is celebrated with a great deal of pomp and circumstance in West Bengal, Assam, and Odessa in the country’s eastern region. This is their biggest and most significant celebration. Goddess Durga and her four children make their way to her father’s house on Earth after she kills Mahisasura, according to Hindu mythology. She also departs five days later. Along with images of her children, Durga is depicted in clay. The effigies have stunning decorations. The Goddess possesses various weapons, including a snake, in each of her ten hands. That demonstrates her bravery and strength. She is seated on a lion, a holy carrier.
Numerous large pendals with elaborate decorations and brilliant illumination are erected in both urban and rural areas. This festival is grand and golden due to the extensive use of precious metals like gold and silver on the Goddess Durga’s image. Around the Puja mandapas, a variety of temporary shops and fairs are set up. These shops attract a lot of people to eat street food and buy traditional goods. Toys and balloons are in high demand among the young customers.
Durga Puja is a five-day festival. This festival is celebrated all over the nation. On each of the five days, they eat enormous feasts and wear brand-new clothing. For a few days, all offices, schools, and colleges will be closed. For more than a week, everyone maintains their festive spirit. They unwind and have fun with their loved ones. During this festival, many people get to meet their distant relatives. Bright lights adorn houses, roads, and other structures. People in the country’s southern regions observe Dussehra by worshiping Lord Rama and Goddess Saraswathi alongside all metal objects. It is believed that Goddess Durga returns to heaven on the tenth day, and with a heavy heart, people make holy offerings to her to welcome her back the following year. The clay sculptures are submerged in the holy water on the final day. Snacks and sweets are shared among individuals. The country’s economy benefits greatly from this extravagant ten-day festival. During this festival, pendals, statues, idols, and decorators are made by a lot of people.
St. Xavier’s Bangalore celebrates this festival with all its purity its known for. This festival is not only beneficial to the sweet shops, local vendors, priests, and theatre goers but this brings unity in people irrespective of caste, creed and religion. Every festival aims at bringing people together for betterment of the world.