Dussehra falling on the last day of
Navaratri or Durga puja
arrives in the month of October. Dussehra literally means that which
takes away ten sins. This Hindu festival is celebrated all over
India to mark the defeat of Ravana by Lord Rama. Dussehra symbolises
the triumph of good over evil. The 'Ramlila' - an enactment of the life
of Lord Rama, is held during the nine days preceding Dussehra. On the
tenth day, larger than life effigies of Ravana, his son and brother
-Meghnath and Kumbhakarna, are set alight.
In West
Bengal, puja pandals
have beautifully decorated images of the goddess Durga and people gather
here in large numbers to enjoy the festivities.
In Gujarat, the exuberant Navaratri
celebrations include dancing the lively 'garba' and 'dandiya ras' dances.
In Himachal
Pradesh, a week
-long fair in the hill town of Kullu, is a part of the Dussehra celebrations.
From the little temples in the hills , deities are brought in procession
to the 'maidan' in Kullu, to pay homage to the reigning deity,
Raghunathji.
Mysore,
the city of palaces in
Karnataka celebrates the ten day Dussehra in a royal style. The
Mysore Palace is illuminated with a myriad lights. Majestic processions,
a torch light parade and dance and musical events enliven the tranquil
city.,
