Location: Celebrated in
Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Kull.
Time: Comes in October (20.10.2004 - 22.10.2004)
Famous as: Dussehra Festival of Hindus.
Duration : Celebrated for 10 days.
Dussehra Festival Information
The most popular festival of north India symbolizes the conquest of good
over evil. One can observe the festival celebrated in different ways in the
country. In north India, particularly in Delhi where it is famous as Ram
Lila is celebrated in form of shows and plays, depicting the life of Lord
Rama, in Kulu, there is a kaleidoscopic celebration of the festival. In
Bengal and many parts of Eastern India it is known as Durga Puja, and in the
South as Navaratri.
Legend
says
Legend has it on the same day, Lord Rama, an avatar of Sri Vishnu fought
Ravana, and a ten headed demon and restored devoutness in the universe. In
major parts of India it culminated with the ignition of gigantic structures
made of hard cardboard of the demon King Ravana of Lanka. This symbolizes
the victory of good over evil.
Celebration of the festival
The festival last for ten days and most community celebrate it with immense
enthusiasm and excitement. During the festival, trained dancers and skilled
artists perform the shows reciting the tale of legendary hero, Rama in form
of Ram Leela.
The last day ritual is observed in the form of procession of young boys,
girls and others on a cart (rath) dressed as Rama, Lakshman, Ravana, and
Sita proceeding through the streets. The firecrackers are stuffed in the
effigies of Ravana, symbolizing as a demon, explode to the acclamation of
thousands of spectators.
Festivity in other parts of India
- In Delhi it is celebrated in a form of play known as Ram Lila, with
immense fireworks.
- Dussehra celebration takes place in Kulu in the state of Himachal
Pradesh is little different , here villagers dressed in their colorful
best gather to take out procession of deities on Rath, convoy by music
on pipes and drums.
- In Karnataka, Dussehra is celebrated with dazzling grandeur and
splendor.
- In Bengal and the East, it is known as 'Durga Puja, on of the major
festival of east India. Idles of Goddess Durga are worshiped for four
days and on the last day they are taken out in a procession and immersed
in a river or the sea.
- The Dasara of Mysore, is also quite eminent where caparisoned
elephants lead a kaleidoscopic procession through the gregarious streets
of the city.
