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Dushera: The Victory of Good Over Evil
Dushehra, also called Vijayadashmi, is celebrated on the tenth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Ashvina (September/October) and culminates the nine-day Navaratri celebrations. It commemorates the death of the evil king Ravana along with his son Meghanatha and brother Kumbhakarna.
According to the
Ramayana, Rama was the exiled prince of Ayodhya. While living in the
forest, his wife Sita was abducted by Ravana, the demon king of Lanka.
Rama attacked Lanka to rescue her. Sugriv, the king of monkeys assisted
him with an army of monkeys. A fierce battle ensued between the two
armies for many days. It was proving very difficult to beat the mighty
Ravana. Rama then prayed for nine days to nine different aspects of
Durga (also Navaratri) and accumulated enough strength to defeat Ravana.
The
Dushera festival relives the defeat of Ravana. Ramalila, a dance-drama
narrating the story of Rama's life, is enacted for the nine days
preceding Dushehra. Preparations for the Ramalila are elaborate.
Traditionally only men participated in the Ramalila, enacting the
women's characters also. The tenth day marks the end of the Ramalila
when the final act of this drama is staged. Huge effigies, sometimes
almost 100 ft high, of Ravana, his son and brother are made many days in
advance, using colored paper and hay, which are stuffed with crackers.
At the appointed time, a person dressed as Rama, shoots flaming arrows
at the effigies, which begin to burn. Shouts of 'Jai Shri Rama' or 'Hail
Lord Rama' resound.
Kulu, a small town
in Himachal Pradesh, is witness to unique Dushehra celebrations. Since
the times of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Dushehra celebrations here begin
three days later than the rest of India. This tradition was started
because the Maharaja expected all the kings under his tutelage to be
present at Kulu for the celebration. The kings left their kingdoms
immediately after Dushehra celebrations, and reached Kulu in three days.
This started the Kulu tradition and it has continued ever since.
Village
deities from all around are brought to Kulu in palanquins for this
occasion. Musicians and Nati dancers lead the procession. It is
believed that many gods and goddesses reside in and around the Kulu
valley and they all come together during this annual reunion. A large
fair is also organized on this occasion. This is a good opportunity for
people to buy and stock their provisions for the harsh winter ahead, as
most places become inaccessible due to snow within a month of the
festival.
In
Mysore, Dushehra is a royal celebration. It celebrates Durga's triumph
over the demon Mahishasura. Deities are brought from all around in
palanquins (see also Durga Puja). The demon is believed to come from the
city of Mysore.
Celebrations to mark his death are observed on a grand scale. The venue
is the Chamundi Hill, at the temple of Durga. A regal procession of decorated
elephants and court symbols winds its circuitous way up to
the temple, which is decorated splendidly for the festival. This
event attracts many tourists from India and abroad. |
