Unknown Facts About Dussehra

Dussehra

Dussehra festival commemorates Goddess Chamundeshwari’s victory over the demon Mahishasura and is held in the region. The 10-day festival begins on the first day of Navratri and ends on the tenth when a decked elephant carrying the idol of the worshipped goddess leads a regal parade. The end of demons like Ravana, Meghnad, and Kumbhakarna is commemorated on Dussehra, symbolising that anybody can burn their vices, including wrath, desire, identification, pride, greed, jealousy, injustice, cruelty, and ego. 

Day 1- Ghatasthapana literally means to place a kalasha, or pot, which represents the goddess Durga. Kalash is placed in the middle of a rectangular sand block. The remaining sand bed has been sown with grains as well. The priest then begins the puja by requesting Durga’s blessing on the vessel.

Day 7-Phulpati sapta is the seventh day. On the seventh day of Dashain, Phulpati, a prominent festival, takes place.

Day 8-  Maha Asthami is the name given to the eighth day. This is the day when the most ferocious of Goddess Durga’s forms, the bloodthirsty Kali, is appeased in temples across the country by the sacrifice of buffaloes, goats, chickens, and ducks. Blood is donated to the Goddesses as a symbol of fertility. 

Day 9- Mahanavami, or “the Great Ninth Day,” is the ninth day of Dashain. On this day, rites and ceremonies attain their pinnacle. On this day, the state performs buffalo sacrifices while gunfire salutes are fired.

Day 10- Vijaya Dashami-

‘Vijayadashami’ is the tenth day of the festival. Rice, yoghurt, and vermilion concoction is made on this day. At this time, elders bless younger relatives by giving them “Dakshina,” or a modest sum of money.

Day 15 – Kojagrat Purnima-

‘Kojagrat’ Purnima is the festival’s final day, which falls on the full moon day. Goddess Laxmi is honoured on this day. People spend their evenings playing cards, among other activities.

History of Dussehra

This celebration is based on various mythical myths. In some parts of India, this day commemorates Goddess Durga’s victory over the demon Mahishasura. That is why the Goddess Durga’s nine avatars are all honoured on Navratri. Goddess Durga is also reported to be immersed in water with the worshippers, which represents Goddess Durga’s departure from the material world after upholding Dharma. 

The Dussehra festival is commemorated in South India, particularly in Mysore, Karnataka, as the day when Chamundeshwari, another form of Goddess Durga, vanquished the monster Mahishasur. 

The Dussehra festival is commemorated in North India as the day when Lord Rama defeated the demon king Ravana in Lanka. Ravana is claimed to have stolen Lord Rama’s wife, Sita, according to Hindu legend. Ravana was also granted indestructibility by Lord Brahma. During the conflict, he manages to send an arrow into Ravana’s belly, killing him. As a result, the Dussehra festival is seen as a triumph of good over evil.

Interesting Facts About Dussehra

Dussehra’s name comes from the Sanskrit word Dash Hara, which means “the defeat of the Sun” in English. The sun would not have risen again if Ravana hadn’t been defeated.

Dusshera is also known as Vijay Dashmi in some Hindu subcultures, which signifies triumph on the tenth day.

In the northern region of India, barley seeds are sown on the first day of Navratri. These sprouts are used and considered a good omen for good fortune and wealth on the day of Dussehra.

Goddess Durga and her offspring Kartik, Lakshmi, Ganesha, and Saraswati are also said to have visited her birthplace and stayed for a while.

The Goddess returned to her husband, Lord Shiva, on Dussehra.

On Dussehra, Kharif crops are harvested, and Ravi crops are seeded. As a result, it is a significant agricultural celebration.

Emperor Ashka turned to Buddhism on Dussehra, making it a significant day for Buddhism in India.

Interesting Facts About Ravana

Ravan Was Brahma’s Great-Grandson

According to the rules. Visravas, Ravan’s father, was a son of Prajapati Pulastya, one of Brahma’s ten’mind-born sons.

Ram’s Yagya Was Performed By Ravan

According to one of the various versions of the Ramayana, once Ram’s army had built the bridge to Lanka, they required Shiva’s blessing, so they established a Yagya. Ravan, however, was the region’s most ardent Shiva devotee, and as a half-brahman, he was also the best equipped to perform the Yagya.

As He Lay Dying, Ravan Taught Lakshman Vital Lessons

Ram urged his brother Lakshman to sit alongside the dying demon-king and absorb critical lessons in statecraft and diplomacy from him because Ravan was one of the most erudite academics who had ever lived. 

Ravan Was So Strong That He Could Even Manipulate Planetary Alignments

During the birth of his son Meghnad, Ravan ‘instructed’ the planets to stay in the child’s 11th house, granting him immortality. Saturn, or Shani, declined to do so and instead took up residence in the 12th house. Ravan was so enraged that he was supposed to have attacked Shani Dev with his mace and imprisoned him.

Ravan Was Well Aware Of His Impending Doom

Ravana was well aware that it was his destiny to die at the hands of a Vishnu avatar, something that would aid him in attaining moksha and letting go of his demon form. 

Are You Curious As To Why Ravan Has Ten Heads?

Ravan did not have ten heads, according to certain versions of the Ramayana, but it appeared that way because his mother gave him a necklace of nine pearls that generated an optical illusion for anyone who looked at it. In another story, Ravan sliced his own head into pieces to satisfy Shiva, but his devotion caused each piece to spawn into another head.

Ravan And His Brother Kumbhkaran Were Vishnu’s Gatekeepers In Disguise

Conclusion

It is the longest and most auspicious holiday on the Bikram Sambat and Nepal Sambat yearly calendars, and it is observed by Nepalese and their diaspora around the world. It is also renowned in Nepal as the country’s largest festival and the country’s longest national/public holiday, lasting five days. In Nepal, it is the most awaited event. People travel from all over the world, as well as other sections of the country, to join in the celebration. During the festival period, all government, educational, and other offices are closed.