Dassera, though called by different names and celebrated in
different ways, is a festival in which we rejoice the victory of good over evil. Dassera
is celebrated in the Hindu month of Ashwin. Dassera is actually the tenth day of the
bright half of Ashwin. In north India, dassera is called Vijaya Dashami while in Bengal we
celebrate Durga Puja. In Gujarat, Navratri or the festival of nine nights is celebrated. A
spectacular event that takes place during dassera is the burning of huge effigies of Ravan
especially in parts of Maharashtra as well as parts in North India. There is a huge
display of fireworks and people chanting words like "Ramchandra ki Jai."
There are two stories linked with this festival. Ravana had abducted Lord Rama's wife to
his capital city of Lanka. Lord Ram with the help of his brother Laxman and Hanuman
Bhagwan, rescued Sita from Lanka and it was on Dassera day that he defeated the evil
Ravana. Dassera marks the triumph of Lord Ram's victory. Another story tells this day as a
celebration of the victory of Durga over the demon Mahishasura.
In all parts of India, the Ram Leela is performed. For nine days, stories from the
Ramayana are enacted. These stories are about Hanuman and his burning tail, Ravan's
abduction of Sita, Ram's victory over Ravana and the rescue of Sita by Hanuman and the
monkeys. On the tenth day, the effigy if Ravana, which is made with all his ten heads is
set on fire and people shoot arrows on the effigy. Another story also talks about an
incident from the Mahabharata. On dassera day, the Pandav brothers who had just come out
of exile, took their weapons which had long since been hidden and decided to fight with
the Kaurava.
On this auspicious day, all instruments, be it pencils or pens, knives or machines, all
are worshipped because these machines are considered as a means to fight the evil and
injustice around us. Objects of prosperity and happiness like our cars, houses, factories
and offices.
The leaves of the Shami tree are of particular importance and are distributed among people
to spread goodwill amongst all.
