The tenth day after Navratri is called Dussehra, on which number of fairs are organized throughout the northern India, burning effigies of Ravana. It is also called “Vijayadashmi” as this day marks the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana. VijayaDashami is considered to be an auspicious day for the Indian householder, on which he worships, protects and preserves ‘Shakti’ (power).
On this day in the Treta Yug, Rama, also called Shri Ram, the seventh incarnation of Vishnu, killed the great demon Ravana who had abducted Rama’s wife Sita to his kingdom of Lanka. Rama, his brother Lakshman, their follower Hanuman and an army of monkeys fought a great battle to rescue Sita. The entire narrative is recorded in the epic Ramayana, a Hindu scripture.
On the tenth day (Dussehra or Vijay Dasami), larger than life effigies of Ravana, his son and brother – Meghnadh and Kumbhakarna are set to fire.
In burning the effigies the people are asked to burn the evil within them, and thus follow the path of truth and goodness, bearing in mind the instance of Ravana, who despite all his might and majesty was destroyed for his evil ways.
These rituals are intended to rid the household of the ten bad qualities, which are represented by ten heads of Ravana as follows:
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Kama vasana (Lust)
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Krodha (Anger)
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Moha (delusion)
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Lobha (Greed)
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Mada (Over Pride)
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Matsara (Jealousy)
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Manas (Mind)
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Buddhi (Intellect)
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Chitta (will)
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Ahankara (Ego).
Hindus observe a 10 day ceremony of fast, rituals, celebrations, feasts to honor the mother Goddess and triumph of Lord Rama over Demon Ravana. Dussehra also symbolizes the triumph of warrior Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon, Mahishasura. Thus, it is a celebration of victory of good over evil.On the day of Dassera, clay statues of the Goddess Durga are submerged in rivers. The pooja is performed with turmeric and other pooja items, which are added to the river in order to help the water yield better crops. Buses, trucks and machines in factories are decorated.Shastra pooja, or the worship of the weapon Shastra/Astra used by Goddess Durga, are worshipped on this day.
