Dusshera

Dusshera

By: Haren, Zakya, Anisha and Shrinidhi

​What is Dusshera?

​. Dusshera, also called Vijayadashami, is a major Hindu festival celebrated at the end of Navaratri, every year. Vijayadashami is observed for different reasons and celebrated differently in various of the Indian subcontinent.

. In the southern, eastern, northeastern, and some northern states of India, Vijayadashami marks the end of Durga Puja, remembering goddess Durga's victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura to restore and protect dharma.

How is Dusshera celebrated in India​?

North India: ​It is believed that on the day of Dussehra or Vijayadashmi, Lord Rama defeated King Ravana in his quest towards rescuing his wife Sita.

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Many effigies of Ravana are burny symbotically celebrate the demolition of evil inside human beings and artists too take part in play based on Tulisidas’ Ramcharitmanas in the famed Ramila.

​South India:

In South India people celebrate Dussehra or Navaratri in different ways. In Karnataka, decorated dolls are placed at home and people exchange goodies among themselves. Scenes from stories from the epics and the puranas are enacted, many devotees visit the Kollur Mookambika temple located in Udupi. In Kerala, the last 3 days of Navratri is considered an important beginning with ‘Poojaivippu’. This is performed on the evening of Durgashtami. In Tamil Nadu, The first 3 day of the festival are dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the next 3 days to Goddess Durga and the last 3 days to Saraswati. Figurines or traditional dolls called Kolu or Golu which are arranged in homes, shops and temples.     ​

​East India

In the eastern part of India where  Vijayadashami will be celebrated the next day, it will be marked through sindur khela among married women and the immersion of Goddess Durga along with her children Lord Ganesha, Lord Kartikeya, Goddess Saraswati and Goddess Lakshmi. People wish each other Subho Bijoya following the immersion of the idol.

West India: In West India the Goddess idols are immersed in water that is marked by a great procession. The married women play ‘Sindoor-Khela’ where they greet each other with a touch of Vermillion. It symbolises a mark of good luck and happy married life. This ritual happens after greeting the Devi Durga idol with sweets and sindoor. ​

​Importance of Dusshera

Dussehra or Navaratri is an important festival celebrated all over India.

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On the day of Dussehra people buy new things or start new projects because this day is believed to be auspicious day and perfect to start different things. It also signifies victory over evil as Lord Rama defeated King Ravena. Some people celebrate it by worshipping the nine forms of Durga/Parvati for defeating the demon king Mahishasura, each form representation the different aspects of Durga. ​

Multiple Select

Importance of dusshera

• Buy or start new things

• Different forms of Parvati are worshipped

• People get freedom because of worshipping the goddesses

• Victory over evil

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How do they celebrate Dussehra in West India?

• Many effigies of Ravana are burnt

• Festive dolls are placed at home

• Goddess idols are immersed in water by a large procession

• Vijayadashami is celebrated the nest day and the immersion of goddess Durga and her children take place

Multiple Choice

How do people celebrate Dusherra in Kerela??

• Decorated dolls are placed at home and people exchange goodies

• Have a Pooja

• Celebrating Kolu or Golu with the family.

• None of these

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Whose play do we enact when it is dusshera?

• Tulsi Das

• Valmiki

• Vyasa

• we don't enact any play

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What do married women do during Dusherra in West India?

• They dance for their husbands

• They do an auspicious Pooja and fast for a week

• They play 'Sindhoor Kela' and greet one another with a touch of vermilion.

• They don't do anything

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Which god/goddess is celebrated in East India ?

• Lord Rama

• The goddesses

• Lord Bramha

• Ayyappa

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In east India, dusshera is celebrated with the immersion of goddess Durga, ...

• Lord Ganesha

• Karthikeya

• Goddess Saraswati

• Lord Vishnu

• Goddess Lakshmi

Multiple Choice

What do people wish other following the immersion of the idol?

• Hi

• Subho Bijoya

• Namaste

• They don't wish other