Dussehra Festival - History and Celebration

 Dussehra is observed during the first half of the month Ashvin (September-October) and lasts for ten days. The tenth day is called Vijayadasami (the victorious tenth day). This festival lasts ten days. It is celebrated all over India, and is connected with the autumn equinox. In Bengal, it commemorates the victory of Durga/Kali, wife of Shiva, over a buffalo-headed demon. The image of Durga is worshipped daily until the end of the festival when it is cast into a river. In North India, the Ram Lila or events of Rama's life are enacted on the same day as the Durga Puja in Bengal. It commemorates the victory of Rama over Ravana or the victory of virtue over vice. During this festival alms are freely distributed, musicians go about playing on their instruments and demanding gifts.

A pageant is gone through consisting of an outdoor theatrical representation of the storming of Ravana's castle. In the midst of the fortress is the giant Ravana with ten heads and arms, each grasping a weapon, and bristling with fireworks, besides him sits Sita, the wife of Ram, whom the giant Ravana had abducted. Rama demands the restitution of his wife, which is refused; the besiegers then advance to attack. Conspicuous among the assailants is Hanuman with an army of men dressed as monkeys. Sita is rescued after a mock battle and Ravana's effigy is blown up, thus bringing to a close. It is a festival appreciated by every creed. The festival basically commemorates the victory of virtue over vice.