Vijayadashmi Dusshera Reasons behind Celebrations
The Dusshera Time of the Year
Vijayadashmi is commonly known as the day of Dushhera. It is celebrated in all the Hindu countries such as India, Nepal, Burma, Sri Lanka etc. It occurs right after Navratri and hence, is called Dusshera. Nav meaning 9 in Hindi and Dus meaning 10; the days are called “Nav”ratri and “Dus”shera. The festival is celebrated in a different manner everywhere. People in India buy items such as Gold, Silver or Steel on this day. The same tradition may or may not be followed in the other countries. Hence, vijayadashmi or Dusshera is a very celebrated festival among the Hindu Community.
The Many Facets of the Same Festival
The festival isn’t named Dusshera merely because of the number 10. It is also the day on which the sun doesn’t rise metaphorically speaking. When spelled as “Dasha”hara instead of Dusshera it means that the sun will not rise. Dasha means sun and hara means to lose. However, it isn’t that the sun really doesn’t rise on this day. It is a simile to Lord Rama’s victory over the 10 headed demon Ravana. Hence, the festival has been named “Dasha” Hara. These terms have been derived from the language of Sanskrit. For, Sanskrit was the language prominently used during the reign of Lord Rama.
The Many Reasons behind Celebrations
Ravana wasn’t the only one to be defeated on this day. Goddess Durga also won the war with Mahishasur, the demons. Goddess Durga fought for a period of 1o days continuously in order to conquer these demons. Thus, the word “Ahaha” means day in Sanskrit. Hence, the day is also known as Dashar“Ahaha” marking the 10 day fight of Goddess Durga. Just like Dusshera, the name Vijayadashmi also originates from the Sanskrit language. Vijaya obviously means victory while Dashmi is the name of the 10th lunar day. The 2 together combine to make Vijayadashmi. 20 days after Vijayadashmi, the return of Lord Ram to his kingdom is celebrated as Diwali.
May Good Win Over Evil
The way the festival is celebrated is quite authentic and exciting. It is one of the festivals wherein you just cannot hide your excitement. At the end of the day, it has too much significance to it. So many victories of the gods, so many wars won and the defeat of the evil. It is definitely a day to be celebrated. Now, who wouldn’t want to celebrate the victory of Goddess Durga. It is at this time of the year that you hear chants like Durga Mata ki Jai on the streets of West Bengal. May good win over evil always!
Jay Shree Ram isn’t the Only Celebration
It isn’t just the homecoming of Lord Rama that is celebrated a large number of events mark this great day. In fact, it was also the homecoming of Durga Maata that happened on this very day. Similarly it was also the end of vanavas for the 5 pandavas of the famous epic Mahabharat. It was also on this very day that Kautsa was given his Guru Dakshina. And most important of all, Ravan lost to Ram. The common factor for which the festival is celebrated nearly all over India is that Ravan lost to Ram. However, everyone has a different way of celebrating this victory.
Different Worlds in the Same World
From the northern corner of India to deep down in the south, to the high and sprawling Himalayas to the western coastal regions, everyone has different ways of celebrating Dusshera. In fact, there are countless Dusshera celebrations all across the world. In some part of the world, the festival is referred to as Ashok Vijaya Dashmi. Then there is a day known as the vishwakarma divas, Dasain etc. So, many people celebrate the same festival in different ways. Obviously, if it can be celebrated in more than 1 way in the same country, far across the world is quite expected.
Gold Sellers Favourite Day
Even if you aren’t a fan of the festival, it is great to see the festival from the outside. An outsider’s view is the best view a lot of times. If you sell something like gold or silver, it is your day of profit. No, you will not need to advertise, you will not need to lure in customers, and you will not have to do anything at all. They will just line up in front of your shop without you having to do anything at all. It will also be a good idea to look into the significance of Dusshera deeply.
One of the other reasons that it is called Dusshera for is the fact that it falls on the 10th day of the month of Ashwin. Ashwin is the Lunar cum solar calendar of the Hindu people. Thus, there are a million reasons why Dusshera is called Dusshera!