All About Dussehra Festival 2023: Date, History, Significance And More

Dussehra is one of the most celebrated festivals in India marking the end of Navratri. The festival is celebrated almost all over the country in its own unique style. The Dussehra festival is also known as Vijayadashami which signifies the celebration of the victory of good over evil. According to the Hindu calendar, Dussehra falls in the month of Ashwin & as per the Gregorian calendar, it falls in September or October.

History of Dussehra

There are various stories related to the celebration of Dussehra. In some parts of India, this day is celebrated as Durga Puja where people believe, Goddess Durga destroyed the demon Mahishasur. In Southern parts of India, the Dussehra festival is celebrated as the day when the goddess Chamundeshwari killed Mahishasur. However, in most parts of India, it is celebrated as the victory of good over evil as it was on this day that Lord Rama defeated and killed Ravana who abducted his wife Sita.

Significance Of Dussehra

Dussehra is the festival of victory of good over evil, light over darkness, and dharma over adharama. Also marks the beginning of the preparation for Diwali which is celebrated 20 days after Vijayadashami.

How is Dussehra celebrated?

Dussehra is celebrated differently in different parts of India. In the northern parts of India such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Haryana, Jharkhand, etc. the effigies of Ravana, Meghnath, and Kumbhkaran are burnt. Many colourful fairs are also organized where people gather in large numbers.

At various places, Ramleela events are also held where numerous dramas and plays based on the theme of Ramayana are organized. In eastern parts of India such as West Bengal, Jharkhand, Assam, etc, the idols of Goddess Durga are taken in a procession for immersion in water that signifies the return of Goddess Durga to her abode after spending 10 days on earth amongst people.

Best places to visit during Dussehra 2023

Kolkata, West Bengal

Kolkata is known for the celebration of Durga Puja which coincides with Dussehra. On the day of Dussehra, people here take out a procession of Goddess Durga’s idols, and eventually, it is immersed in a water body. Women wear saris and other traditional dresses, pandals are staged, special dish dishes are prepared, women also dance and many other activities also take place. The whole city gets immersed in the colours and beauty of this festival, forgetting everything.

Delhi

Without a doubt, Delhi is one of the best places to witness the grand celebration of Dussehra. A few days before Dussehra, people start decorating the city, organizing Ram-Leela at various places, bringing home the effigies of Ravana, etc. During these nine days, people avoid eating non-vegetarian food and places such as Chandni Chowk, Akshardham, Rohini, East Delhi, etc. organize dramas and plays known as Ram-Leela that are attended by thousands of people every night. Ramlila Maidan which is located in old Delhi is one such place that you must not miss. 

Ahmedabad

You cannot simply miss the Navratri Mahotsav that takes place in Ahmedabad. It is one of the most exciting and fun parts of Navratri and the city gets decorated with beautiful colours of Chaniya-Choli, Kediyus, and Kafni pyjamas. The Aarti which is performed by Gujarati people to honour the mother goddess is so beautiful that you will remember this experience throughout your life. During this Puja, thousands of people gather around earthen lamps and dance to mark the victory of light over darkness. 

Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

If you are in Uttar Pradesh, then do visit Ramnagar which is located 15 km away from Varanasi. This place is known for organizing one of the best Ramleela shows during Dussehra. Many famous actors perform various scenes from Ramayana and it is attended by thousands of people from all over India. The performance also includes actors covering themselves with masks, playing music, etc. On the day of Vijayadashami, an effigy of Ravana is burnt and the idol of Goddess Durga is also immersed in water.

Bastar, Chhattisgarh

This place is famous for the celebration of Dussehra for 75 days. In Bastar, Dussehra is celebrated to honour Devi Danteshwari who is considered the goddess of a tribal community. This festival highlights the tribal lifestyle of people and many other gods and goddesses are brought to the Danteshwari Temple from the neighbouring villages during this time. The unique thing about the celebration here is that people worship wood, set up a throne for Devi Kanchan, tribal leaders hold meetings, etc.

Kullu, Himachal Pradesh

The different thing about the celebration of Dussehra in Kullu is that it begins on Vijayadashami and continues for the next seven days. People carry the idols of various Gods and Goddesses on their heads and walk in a procession to the well-known Raghunath Temple. A local fair is also organized during the time of the celebration which highlights the culture of Kullu. 

Mysore

In Mysore, the festival of Dussehra is celebrated for 10 days and is led by a royal family. It is observed to honor the victory of Goddess Chamundeshwari who killed Mahishasur. The very well-known Mysore Palace has beautifully decorated with lights and the beauty is unmatchable. On the last day of the celebration, a procession takes place where an elephant carries the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari. Along with all these activities, various athletic competitions, parades, and cultural performances were also organized.

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Frequently asked questions about Dussehra