New Delhi: The whole country is celebrating the festival of Dussehra with joy and devotion.
Vijayadashmi, also known as Dussehra, marks the victory of good over evil. According to mythology, Lord Rama defeated the demon king of Lanka, Ravana, on this day. Another legend says that Maa Durga defeated Mahishasura after a fierce battle that lasted for nine days.
This day is celebrated on Dashami Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the month of Ashwina.
Vijayadashmi is a compound of the two words Vijaya (victory) and Dashmi (tenth), connoting the festival on the tenth day celebrating the victory of good over evil.
Vijayadashami is celebrated every year at the end of Navaratri, remembering goddess Durga's victory against the buffalo demon Mahishasura to restore and protect dharma.
Celebrations include processions to a river or ocean front that involve carrying statues of Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesha and Kartikeya, accompanied by music and chants, after which the images are immersed in the water as a farewell.
Vijayadashmi also marks the end of Ramlila and commemorates Lord Rama's victory over the demon king Ravana. Here effigies of Ravana, symbolising evil, are burnt with fireworks, marking evil's destruction.
That is why this day is celebrated as the ‘victory of good over evil’.
