Let’s Learn About the Reasons for Celebrating Dussehra Across India

Dussehra is considered one of the most popular festivals in India. It is seen as an occasion where good triumphs over evil. Celebrated under the names of Vijayadashami and Dussehra across India, this festival holds significant cultural and historical value depending on the region. Though it is generally marked as the day when Goddess Durga defeated Mahishasura, restoring dharma (righteousness) and symbolizing the victory of good over evil, its celebration differs across regions in India. Let’s explore how Dussehra is celebrated in various states across the country.

Southern India In the state of Karnataka, particularly in Mysore, Dussehra is celebrated as ‘Nada Habba,’ which means state festival. During the festival, the Mysore Palace is beautifully illuminated, and a grand procession takes place with the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari placed on a golden mandap carried by a decorated elephant. The procession is accompanied by cultural events, music, dance, and exhibitions, reflecting the vibrant cultural life of the city.

In the southern part of Tamil Nadu, particularly in the village of Kulasekarapattinam in the Tuticorin district, the Dussehra festival celebrated at the Gnana Moorthiswarar-Sameda Mutharamman temple is very famous. This festival is celebrated like a rural carnival, which is its uniqueness. During this 10-day celebration, devotees take vows, wear garlands, and dress up in various costumes representing deities, humans, animals, demons, and more to offer worship at the temple.

In parts of South India, Dussehra is dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom, music, and arts. The most significant event is the ‘Vidyarambam,’ where children begin their learning and writing journey on this day, with the belief that they will excel in education. Parents take their children to temples or cultural centers, where they start their studies by writing the first letter of the alphabet on a plate of rice grains.

Northern India In northern states like Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Himachal Pradesh, Dussehra is celebrated as ‘Ramlila,’ where the epic Ramayana is enacted as a play over the course of 10 days. The festival culminates with the burning of large effigies of Ravana, Meghnath, and Kumbhakarna. The giant effigy of Ravana, made with 10 heads, is filled with firecrackers and, at the end, set ablaze with an arrow tipped with fire. The spectacle of Ravana’s effigy bursting with colors in the sky symbolizes liberation from evil in North India.

Eastern India In West Bengal, Assam, and Odisha, Dussehra marks the conclusion of the 10-day Durga Puja celebrations. Grand idols of Goddess Durga are worshipped in beautifully decorated pandals for all 10 days. On the 10th day, these idols are immersed in nearby rivers or water bodies. The festival includes singing, dancing, and other cultural performances.

Western India In Maharashtra, Dussehra is considered a festival of prosperity. People exchange ‘Apta’ leaves, which symbolize gold, as a sign of goodwill. In Gujarat, Dussehra is marked by vibrant celebrations, with energetic dances like Garba and Dandiya, where people, dressed in colorful attire, dance joyously.

Northeast India In northeastern states like Tripura, Dussehra is celebrated with processions and cultural performances, marking the end of Durga Puja. The immersion of Durga idols is done with great devotion and enthusiasm.

Dussehra across India thus showcases the country’s cultural diversity, with each region adding its own traditions and customs to the festival.

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