Dussehra

Dussehra also called Dasara also called Vijayadashami is celebrated as a one-day festival, which is the last or the tenth day, of the celebration of Durga Puja or Navaratri.

Durga Puja or Navaratri

In various parts of the Indian subcontinent and some of the neighbouring countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka, etc. this is celebrated as a nine to ten-day festival. Durga Puja is generally celebrated in the Eastern State of India of West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, Assam and Tripura. Navaratri is also celebrated on the same days, in various other parts of India. Durga Puja is a very colourful and powerful celebration of the Worship of Goddess Durga. In various private and public celebrations, huge idols of the Goddess Durga are worshipped for the first nine days of the festival. In other parts of India, the celebration of Goddess Durga is called Navaratri [which mean Nine Nights celebration].

Vijayadashami or Dussehra or Dasara

The last day or the tenth day of Durga Puja or Navaratri is celebrated as Vijayadashami or Dussehra or Dasara. On this day, the idol of Goddess Durga is immersed in water and bid goodbye till the next year of the Durga Puja celebration. Vijayadashami literally means the tenth day [Dashami] of Victory [Vijay]. This day signifies multiple symbolisms in the Indian mythology and religion. In one dimension it represents the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. Also in another dimension it represents the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana. In essence the day represents the celebration of the good over the evil. Both Goddess Durga and Lord Rama are also symbols of Power. And they are also a symbolic representation of Power for the protection of the good and for the destruction of the evil.

Psychological symbolism

The symbols on a social and mythological dimension have a deep spiritual and psychological significance. Each one of us had both the good and the evil within us. In a way, these celebrations are a social way of collectively reminding ourselves to focus on and grow the good qualities within ourselves. And also to control and overcome the negative qualities within.

The festival of Dussehra symbolizes the victory of good over evil.

By Janhavi