| Title |
VIJAYDASHMI
(DUSSEHRA) |
|
Date-wise Events |
October 11, 2016 (10th day of Hindu Lunar month
Ashwin). |
|
Description |
- It's a festival which marks the death of the 'Ten
Headed' king of Lanka, The Evil Ravana.
- According to the Ramayana:
- Lord Rama, alongwith his wife Sita and brother
Lakshman, went into exile for 14 years.
- They faced many hardships during this period.
- Ravana, a great scholar and the ten headed demon
king of Lanka abducted Sita and took her to his
kingdom.
- Lord Rama with his brother Laxman, follower Hanuman,
and an army of monkeys on his side fought a great battle
for ten days to rescue Seeta and destroy Ravana.
- Rama prayed to Durga, the Goddess of war, for nine
days and killed Ravana on the tenth day.
- Dussehra celebrates the victory of good over evil.
- This is the reason why effigies of Ravana and his
brothers, Meghnada and Kumbhkarna are burnt all over
India, on this day.
- Dussehra also symbolizes the victory of Goddess
Durga over Mahishasura, the demon.
- Ramlila - The killing of Ravana by Lord Rama is
enacted over 10 days by local actors.
- Dussehra gives a message that no matter how strong the
evil is, good always prevails.
- Dussehra also marks the arrival of Diwali the festival
of lights, the light of higher knowledge dismissing all
ignorance.
-
The performing of
various rituals is intended to free the households of the
following ten bad qualities, which are represented by 10
heads of Ravana:
- Anger
- Delusion
- Ego
- Greed
- Hatred
- Infatuation
- Jealousy
- Lust
- Over-pride
- Selfishness
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