Dussehra or Vijayadashami is one of the most distinguished festivals of Hindus, which symbolizes the victory of good over evil.
This festival is observed to have special meaning or different reasons for different people and is celebrated in different ways too. In some parts of India, Dussehra is celebrated for the triumph of Rama, an avatar of Vishnu, over the 10-headed demon king Ravana, who abducted Rama’s wife.
While few of them celebrate the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahisasur. Grace and ethnicity play a key role in celebrating this festival, no matter how the festival is being celebrated by different people.
So, here are the various ways in which this festival is being celebrated all over India.
Gujarat - Garba
Dussehra is celebrated as Navratra(festival of 9 days) in Gujarat. Garba, which is the folk dance of Gujarat plays the most important role in this festival. People vibe around to the tune of folk songs with multi-colored sticks. This is the main center of attraction to the festival. After worshipping the Goddess, people enjoy playing Garba throughout the night. Men and women get ready in traditional wear to play Garba, the traditional attires are Lehenga Choli for women and Kedia for men.
Kullu and Himachal Pradesh - Grand Procession of Lord Raghunath
Dussehra in the Kullu town of Himachal is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm and holds a very special significance. The festival is celebrated for seven days and is carried out in a unique and special way. At the fairground of Dhalpur Maidan, people from Kullu worship the Lord Raghunath. Also, people from nearby villages bring the statues of different local gods and goddesses to this fairground in a holy procession. The entire place is loaded with the joy of festivities for one whole week.
Delhi - Ram Leela
In Delhi, Dussehra is celebrated in regard to the defeat of the demon king Ravana by Lord Rama. During the eve, the temples are decorated wonderfully and one of the greatest attractions to the festival all over the city is Ram Leela. And watching Ram Leela, which is the theatrical version of Ramayana is one of the most beautiful experiences one can have in Delhi. Around Delhi, at various locations, the Idols of all three demons, include Ravana, Meghanand, and Kumbhakaran are set on fire. Also, there are many places in Delhi, where Pandals of goddess Durga are created and most of them keep a fast for 9-days.
Punjab - 9-Day Fast and Worship of Shakti
Punjab, another state of India, celebrates Durga Puja in a joyful and delightful way. Goddess Shakti is worshipped here. During Navratri, people from Punjab go through the fast of 7-days and also arrange Jagraata (Staying awake for the entire night by singing devotional songs). They open their fast on the 8th day or on Ashtami and organize a Bhandara for 9 little girls known as Kanjika.
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