Dussehra celebrations are an important event of India. Dussehra is more popularly known as 'Vijayadashmi'. It has several concepts and notions associated with it. The festival of Dussehra is actually considered as an auspicious day as this day marks the victory of good over the evil forces.
Dussehra actually marks the end of the nine day long celebrations of Navratri. Over the nine days of Navratri, people worship nine different manifestations of Goddess Durga, the Goddess of power.
Celebrations of Dussehra differ from one region to another in India, which is more commonly regarded as the land of festivals.
The festival of Dussehra is celebrated in the traditional Hindu month of Ashwin. However, the dates of Dussehra differ from one year to another. There is a popular legend behind the celebrations of Dussehra, which says that on this remarkable day, Lord Shri Rama killed demon king Ravana and rescued his abducted wife Sita. This day marks the day of homecoming of Lord Shri Rama, his wife Sita and his loyal brother Lakhsmana after 14 long years of exile.
In northern India, the main events of Dussehra celebrations include burning of huge effigies of demon king Ravana, his son Meghnad and his brother Kumbhkarna. Loads of firecrackers are placed inside those effigies and these three effigies are placed in the middle of a large open ground. People organize 'Ramlila' acts that portrays the final moments of war between Lord Shri Rama and demon king Ravana. At the end of this play, the one who is playing the character of Lord Shri Rama shoots an arrow with a blazing tip at the effigies, which instantly catch fire.
This day is also celebrated for honoring Goddess Durga. According to another legend associated with Dussehra it is believed that Goddess Durga killed demon king Mahishasura. It is a significant Hindu festival and is celebrated with numerous zeal and fervor.
In eastern state of India that is West Bengal, Goddess Durga clay idols are ceremoniously immersed in the pure water body. Dussehra or Vijayadashmi (as it is commonly said) also marks the victory of Goddess Durga over demon king Mahishasura. This day signifies the end of celebrations of Durga Puja. On this day, people bid goodbye to Goddess Durga and this popular ritual is more popularly called as 'Bisarjan Jatra'.
In southern sates of India, the traditions are a bit different. People dedicatedly worship Goddess Saraswati and Goddess Laxmi during the festive season of Dussehra. People mainly celebrate this joyous occasion by wearing new clothes and by dedicatedly performing pujas.