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Dussehra or Dasara is one of the most popular Indian festivals. The festival is marked by the worship of Goddess Durga, the incarnation of Shakti, the cosmic energy. The goddess is worshipped in ten different forms for each day of the festival. Durga puja is performed in the various parts of India diversely, though the common theme in all the celebrations is the triumph of good over evil.
Ram lila forms a major part of Dasara celebrations / durga puja Celebrations in North India. The theme of the celebrations is the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana. The whole sequence of the war between both the kings is played by many amateur troupes with high decibel music, recitations and enthusiasm, culminating in burning the effigy of Ravana. Especially in Delhi, huge processions from all over the city gather at the famous Ram Lila grounds, to burn cracker stuffed Ravana effigies, shouting “Shri Rama Chandra ki Jai”.
In eastern India, the Dussehra celebrations are a spectacle by themselves. In Bengal, maa Durga is worshipped with great religious fervour in every household. Durga pooja is performed on a very grand scale. Pandals are set up in every nook and corner of the state with giant size statues of Durga ma. Dances and dramas are enacted, while durga bhajans are chanted for the first nine days. On the last day, all the statues are taken in a procession around the city and immersed in a nearby water source. The ceremony is called Visarjan.
In Punjab, Navratri is observed as a period for fasting. During the nine days of the festival, durga ma is worshipped. Durga bhajans and durga stuti is uttered throughout the nights in mass religious gatherings, called the jag rata.
Dussehra celebrations in Gujarat are conducted on a grand scale. The major attraction of the celebrations is the Garba raas or dandiya played by young and old alike with comparable enthusiasm. Men and women, boys and girls dress up in traditional Gujarati attires to take part in the dance.
In southern parts of India, Dassera is celebrated as Navratri. During the nine days of the festival, the three main Hindu goddesses, Lakshmi, Saraswathi and Parvathi are worshipped for three days each. Each of the goddess is worshipped in all the forms they've taken to save mankind from evil. On each of the nine days, the goddesses are decorated in a different way. A unique feature in south India during Dussehra celebrations is the ritual of bommai kollu. The girl children of the family get together to arrange dolls in various themes.
In Mysore, Dasara celebrations are on a grandiose scale. In fact, in Mysore, the procession of elephants during the Dassera celebrations is a highlight and draws tourists from all over the country.
During the ten days time, people meet friends and relatives, play garba and exchange Durga puja gifts. Some of the most popular traditions are to send gifts for Durga puja to kith and kin, exchange durga puja cards and gifts, and send durga puja sweets to near and dear.
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