DUSSEHRA CELEBRATED ACROSS INDIA

INDIA EXPLODES INTO DUSSEHRA
CELEBRATIONS, RAVANA EFFIGIES BURNT

www.todaysthv.com - Dussehra festival, symbolising the triumph of good over evil is being celebrated across the India these days. The day is also celebrated as Vijay Dashmi. Towering effigies of 10-headed demon king Ravana, his son Meghnad and brother Kumbhakaran crackled in fiery splendour marking the triumph of good over evil as gusto and fervour marked Dussehra festivities across the country. As it is a celebration of victory of good over evil, the occasion of Dussehra also symbolises the triumph of warrior Goddess Durga over buffalo demon Mahishasura. 
A string of rituals will take place throughout the day. Lakhs of devotees are thronging various temples and puja pandals to offer prayers to “Goddess Durga”. Amid beating of drums, devotees, dancing frenziedly, also bid adieu to Goddess Durga as she returned to her celestial abode. The three day Durga Puja will culminate with the immersion of Goddess Durga Idols. 

Thousands of devotees from far off places are expected to attend the famous Kullu Dussehra festivities, organised by the district administration. Festivities are also high in different parts of South India. In Karnataka thousands of people flock every year to witness the famous Mysore Dussehra. In Kolkata, thousands of people descended on the streets and elsewhere to admire the pandals on Maha Nabami. In Odisha, lakhs of devotees are participating in community pujas being organised at various places across the state on the occasion of Dussehra.
The festival commemorating the victor of good over Evil and the five day ritualistic offering to goddess Durga is best witnessed in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack where over 200 puja pandals have been erected. President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, UPA President Sonia Gandhi has greeted the nation on the auspicious occasion of Dussehra or Vijaya Dashami.

India celebrated Dussehra, the festivity of victory of good over evil, by burning the effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhkarana and son Meghanada. Leading politicians attended the Dussehra celebration in Delhi, with UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi performing the aarti of Lord Rama and Laxmana. Crowds thronged popular ‘Ramlila’ venues to catch the final episode of the dramatic re-enactment of the life of Lord Rama. Dussehra also symbolises the triumph of warrior Goddess Durga over buffalo demon Mahishasura. From politicians to people from the world of cinema, celebrities wrote their messages on micro-blogging site Twitter all through the day: “Happy Dusshera everyone!”.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

Dusshera, also known as Vijaya Dashami, is celebrated on the tenth day of Navaratri. This signifies the victory of Lord Rama over the demon Ravana, which is often observed with special celebrations and the burning of the effigy of Ravana. On that day there is often a huge bonfire in which people burn the effigy of the demon Ravana, which also represents the destruction of the false ego. Thus, it is a festival which shows the process by which humanity can reach the perception of God. It incorporates the means and worship by which one can purify themselves of the ten sins, meaning the sins committed by the ten active senses. ... What this shows is that all aspects of the Vedic process, whether we are familiar with them or not, are ultimately meant to be a vehicle by which we can transcend the mind, senses, and the temporary material world and enter into the Supreme Reality wherein we can reestablish our lost relationship with the Supreme Being.

Stephen Knapp (Śrīpad Nandanandana dasa) :
“Hindu Festivals”
http://www.stephen-knapp.com/hindu_festivals.htm
http://www.stephen-knapp.com  -  http://www.stephenknapp.info/

Published by dasavatara das - "Vedic Views on World News"
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/