Dussehra is one of the most important festivals celebrated by Hindus; to mark the triumph of good over evil. The day marks Lord Rama's victory over demon king Ravana. Derived from Sanskrit word Dasha Hara, it literally means Dashanan Ravan, i.e., Defeat of ten-headed Ravan. The occasion is also celebrated to honour the victory of Goddess Durga over demon Mahishashur. The name Vijayadashami is derived from Sanskrit words Vijaya dashami, which means victory of the dashami.
Celebrated on the tenth day of the month of Ashwin, the preceding nine days are celebrated as Navratri. Navratri is one of the most awaited festivals in India. Devotees fast for nine days and worship the goddess. As per tradition, women observing a fast bring an earthen pot with holes, and light it every evening to perform aarti. The pot is called ‘Garbi’ and the light symbolises Shakti, power. Gujaratis play two beautiful dance forms of Garba Raas and Dandiya Raas, donning bright chaniya cholis and kedias. The spirit of the festival reaches Gujarati diaspora abroad as even they unfailingly celebrate the festivity. London Indians recreated the magic at Greenford Hall for all nine evenings this year.
The festivals are observed in different ways in different parts of India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. North India and several parts of Maharashtra celebrate it more in honour of Lord Rama. Plays and dramas are conducted during the 10 days, with outdoor fairs and large parades around mighty effigies of Ravana and Meghnad. Filled with firecrackers, these effigies are later burned in the evening, in a spectacular demonstration of fireworks. During the festival, people in the north India fast and worship each incarnation of the goddess. The south Indians observe Navratri by displaying a collection of toys and miniature artifacts they have inherited over generations. The toy exhibition is popularly known as Bombe Habba in Karnataka, Bommala Koluvu in Andhra Pradesh and Golu or Kolu in Tamil Nadu.
West Bengal celebrates it as Mahashtami, also known as Maha Durgashtami. They begin the festival with Mahasnan and Shodashopachar Puja. Nine forms of Durga are worshipped during Maha Ashtami Puja. Young girls are treated as Goddesses, in a particular ritual called the Kumari Puja which is performed on Maha Ashtami. Many Indian communities this year, have decided to portray the true spirit of the festival this year. While the country lives a constant paradox where on one side Goddesses are worshipped and the other side women are discriminated against, one of the oldest community durga pujas in Gurgaon, Maruti Vihar Sarbojamin Durgotsav has decided their theme upon 'India, Let her live- Save the Girl Child'. Taking inspiration from the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' programme, MVSD looks to draw attentions towards social evils.
Cutting across all religious differences amidst recent communal tension in the region over the lynching of a Muslim man, several craftsmen of the minority community add colour to Dussehra this year with the effigies made by them. Sixty-five year old Aliyaz Khan has been making effigies for the past 21 years, to earn his living. His younger brother Gyasudin Khan said, “For generations, our families have been making effigies for Dussehra. The simmering differences between two communities are unfortunate, but this does not deter us or the organising committees in hiring us. We have developed personal relations with them.”
While India lights up in festivities, the vibrant Indian community in Egypt decided to take part in the revelry. People gathered at the grounds of the Maadi British International School in Cairo where Indian Ambassador Sanjay Bhattacharya extended Durga Puja, Navratri and Dussehra greetings to the community people. He commended them for retaining Indian traditions and welcomed the Egyptian guests present in the event. The function started with the traditional lighting of the lamps and was followed by an aarti.
