How Vijayadashami is Celebrated in Different Regions of India
Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is one of the most significant festivals in India, celebrated with grandeur and devotion across the country. It marks the victory of good over evil, symbolized by Lord Rama’s triumph over the demon king Ravana. In 2024, Dussehra will be celebrated on October 12-13. The festival not only signifies the defeat of Ravana but also honors the Goddess Durga’s victory over the buffalo demon, Mahishasura, in some regions, especially during the culmination of Navratri.
This day of Dussehra holds different meanings and is celebrated in diverse ways across various regions of India, making it one of the most colorful and culturally rich festivals in the country. Let’s explore the significance of Dussehra and how Vijayadashami is celebrated in different regions of India.
The Significance of Dussehra
Dussehra holds immense cultural and religious significance, marking the culmination of both the Navratri festival and the 10-day-long battle between Lord Rama and Ravana in the Ramayana. It is a celebration of righteousness and justice, where the values of truth, virtue, and morality are commemorated.
- Victory of Good over Evil: In the north, Dussehra celebrates Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana, symbolizing the triumph of dharma (righteousness) over adharma (evil).
- Durga’s Victory over Mahishasura: In the east, especially in West Bengal, it marks the victory of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura, symbolizing the feminine power overcoming negativity and destructive forces.
- End of Navratri: Dussehra is the last day of the Navratri festival, dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga in her various forms. The day signifies the end of nine days of fasting and devotion.
The festival also serves as a reminder that good always prevails, and evil, no matter how powerful, is destined to fall.
When is Dussehra in 2024?
In 2024, Dussehra will be celebrated on Sunday, October 12-13. The timing of the festival is based on the Hindu lunar calendar, falling on the tenth day (Dashami) of the Ashwin month. The date varies slightly each year due to the alignment of the lunar cycles.
How is Dussehra Celebrated Across India?
Though the underlying theme of Dussehra remains the same – the victory of good over evil – the festival is celebrated in myriad ways across different regions of India, reflecting the rich cultural diversity of the country.
1. Dussehra Celebrations in North India
In northern India, particularly in states like Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, and Punjab, Dussehra is synonymous with the enactment of the Ram Lila, a dramatic representation of the Ramayana, especially the scenes depicting the battle between Lord Rama and Ravana.
Ram Lila Performances
- Ram Lila: The most significant aspect of Dussehra in North India is the performance of Ram Lila, a retelling of the Ramayana. The plays often last for the entire duration of Navratri and culminate on Dussehra with the burning of huge effigies of Ravana, Meghnath (Ravana’s son), and Kumbhkaran (Ravana’s brother).
- Burning of Effigies: On Dussehra evening, effigies of Ravana, Meghnath, and Kumbhkaran, stuffed with firecrackers, are set ablaze to symbolize the destruction of evil. This act draws large crowds, and the spectacle is followed by fireworks.
- Fairs and Feasts: Along with Ram Lila, local fairs (melas) are organized, and families enjoy traditional feasts. It is a time of community gathering and celebrating the cultural heritage.
Key Cities Known for Grand Celebrations
- Varanasi: One of the oldest cities in India, Varanasi hosts elaborate Ram Lila performances that attract thousands of devotees and tourists alike.
- Delhi: The capital city witnesses grand Ram Lila events at places like Red Fort, where prominent political figures often attend, adding to the scale and grandeur of the celebrations.
- Ayodhya: Being the birthplace of Lord Rama, Ayodhya’s Dussehra is an extraordinary affair, with thousands of devotees flocking to the city to witness Ram Lila and participate in religious ceremonies.
2. Dussehra in West Bengal: Durga Puja and Vijayadashami
In West Bengal, Dussehra coincides with the grand culmination of Durga Puja, the most important festival in the state. Durga Puja begins on the sixth day (Sasthi) of Navratri and culminates on the tenth day, which is celebrated as Vijayadashami.
Durga Puja Celebrations
- Pandals: Temporary structures, known as pandals, are erected throughout the cities, adorned with elaborate decorations and idols of Goddess Durga. These pandals are visited by thousands of devotees who come to seek blessings and participate in the pujas.
- Sindoor Khela: On Vijayadashami, a unique ritual known as Sindoor Khela is performed, where married women smear each other with red vermillion (sindoor) to celebrate their marital status and pray for the long life of their husbands. It is a joyous and emotional occasion marking the goddess’s farewell.
- Immersion of Durga Idols: The idols of Durga are carried in grand processions to rivers and other water bodies for immersion (visarjan). This marks the end of the festivities as devotees bid an emotional farewell to the goddess, praying for her return the following year.
Cities with Famous Celebrations
- Kolkata: Kolkata is known for hosting one of the most vibrant and grand Durga Puja celebrations in the world. The streets come alive with lights, music, and art during the ten-day festival, attracting visitors from all over the globe.
- Howrah and Siliguri: These cities also host magnificent Durga Puja celebrations, featuring impressive pandals and traditional rituals.
3. Dussehra in South India: Mysore Dasara
In southern India, particularly in Karnataka, Dussehra is celebrated as Mysore Dasara with royal grandeur and fervor. The celebration in Mysore is unique, as it is deeply rooted in the city’s royal traditions and history.
Mysore Dasara Festivities
- Jumbo Savari (Elephant Procession): The highlight of Mysore Dasara is the grand elephant procession called Jumbo Savari, where the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari (the presiding deity of Mysore) is carried on a beautifully decorated elephant through the city. This procession is accompanied by musicians, dancers, and soldiers dressed in traditional attire.
- Mysore Palace Illumination: The iconic Mysore Palace is illuminated with over 100,000 lights during the ten days of Dussehra, creating a breathtaking spectacle. Cultural programs, including classical music and dance performances, are held in the palace courtyard.
- Torchlight Parade: The final day of the celebrations is marked by a torchlight parade, where soldiers on horseback, acrobats, and fire performers participate in a spectacular display of skill and tradition.
Other Celebrations in South India
- Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh: In Tamil Nadu, Dussehra is celebrated with the decoration of homes using kolu, an arrangement of dolls representing gods, saints, and various scenes from Indian epics. In Andhra Pradesh, temples are beautifully decorated, and special pujas are offered to the deities.
4. Dussehra in Western India: Maharashtra and Gujarat
In Maharashtra and Gujarat, Dussehra is celebrated with traditional dances, rituals, and the exchange of auspicious items like aapti leaves, which symbolize gold and prosperity.
Maharashtra: Maratha Tradition
- Shastra Puja (Weapon Worship): In Maharashtra, Dussehra is associated with the ancient Maratha tradition of Shastra Puja, where warriors and soldiers would worship their weapons and horses before heading into battle. Today, the tradition continues, with people worshipping their tools and instruments of work, symbolizing readiness and preparedness.
- Exchange of Aapti Leaves: People exchange aapti leaves, symbolizing gold, with friends and family, wishing them prosperity and success.
Gujarat: Garba and Dandiya
- In Gujarat, Dussehra coincides with the conclusion of Navratri and is marked by vibrant Garba and Dandiya dances, where people dress in traditional attire and dance to folk music in large groups.
5. Dussehra in Eastern and Northeastern India
In the eastern states of India, especially Odisha and Bihar, Dussehra is marked by both the burning of Ravana’s effigies and the immersion of Durga idols. In the northeastern state of Assam, the festival is celebrated with the immersion of idols and vibrant processions, similar to the Durga Puja celebrations of West Bengal.
6. Dussehra in Himachal Pradesh: Kullu Dussehra
Kullu Dussehra, celebrated in the picturesque town of Kullu in Himachal Pradesh, is another unique form of the festival. Unlike other parts of India, where Dussehra lasts for one day, Kullu Dussehra is celebrated for a week, attracting tourists and devotees from across the world.
Key Highlights of Kullu Dussehra
- Procession of Deities: The festival begins with a grand procession of local deities, led by Lord Raghunath, the presiding deity of Kullu, on a beautifully decorated chariot.
- Week-Long Festivities: Cultural performances, folk dances, and traditional rituals take place over the course of the week, making it a grand celebration that reflects the rich heritage of Himachal Pradesh.
Conclusion
Dussehra, or Vijayadashami, is a festival that unites India through its shared values of triumph over evil, though the celebrations vary widely across regions. Whether it’s the burning of Ravana’s effigies in the north, the grand Durga Puja immersions in the east, the royal Dasara of Mysore, or the folk traditions of western India, Dussehra remains a vibrant tapestry of cultural richness, devotion, and celebration.
In 2024, as Dussehra falls on October 12-13, people across the country will come together to celebrate this ancient festival, continuing traditions that have stood the test of time while embracing the essence of unity, righteousness, and victory.
