FrançaisDussehra is one of the popular Indian festival celebrated all over India on the tenth day of Ashvin month according to the Hindu calendar. This day falls in the month of September or October. It’s devoted to celebrating the defeat of the demon king Ravana by Lord Rama. It is believed that Ravana was killed by Lord Rama on this day as revenge against the cruel act of kidnapping Goddess Sita by the demon king Ravana.
Dussehra is predominantly a northern Indian festival. Delhi and Varanasi are popular places to witness the celebrations, but Mysore Dussehra celebrations in the south-western part of the country are particularly famous, as every streets of the city are decorated with lights and there are cultural performances and fairs organized in the city.
In northern India, plays and dance performances known as Ramlila are organized describing the life of Rama, commonly take place in the lead up to Dussehra day. On the final day on Dussehra, statues of Ravana are burnt everywhere in India, and in Delhi, the event is attended by political dignitaries in the Ramlila Maidan.
Many people of the Hindu faith observe Dussehra through special prayer meetings and food offerings to the gods at home or in temples throughout India and some people also believe that it is a lucky day to start a new project, venture or journey on Dussehra. The festival is celebrated in very joyful manner, especially kids are crazy about this festival. They buy different toys like dhanush (bow&arrow) and mask of different gods etc.
Although Dussehra is celebrated in different ways across India, the motive remains the same – to spread good cheer and celebrate the victory of good over the evil.