Dussehra or Vijaydashmi is a festival that is celebrated in different ways and for different reasons in India. It is thought to be the day that a victorious Lord Ram returned to Ayodhya after having defeated Ravan. It is the end of the nine days of Navratri in Gujarat and is marked as the triumph of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahisarur here and in other parts of India. In fact, there is a wide range of ways in which Dussehra is celebrated.
In my home state of Gujarat, Dussehra is synonymous with fafda-jalebi --- the first being a savoury snack and the other the delicious sweet all of India loves. Lines would form outside sweet shops and the air would be redolent with the smell of jalebis fried in ghee. We would clean our own vehicles and decorate them with garlands of marigold on Dussehra.
Ravan Dahan or the symbolic burning of the effigy of Ravan and his two brothers Meghnad and Kumbhkaran is the highlight of Dussehra. This is usually a communal event where everyone enjoys the fireworks that go off as the effigies are lit.
Durga Pooja or Pujo is the biggest festival of the region. Bijoya Dashomi is the day that the idols of goddess Durga --- worshipped over the nine days of Navratri--- are immersed in water.
In Mysore Karnataka, the lighting of the palace is an awesome sight. There is a colourful procession and other events held against the backdrop of the palace.
Kullu town in HP traditionally celebrates Dussehra with a great deal of pomp and circumstance. There is a fair and a parade with about half a million in attendance and there is a procession with colourful floats --- a major tourist attraction. Here as well, the people celebrate the triumph of good over evil.
Bastar in Chhattisgarh observes a ten-day festival with various ceremonies involving the welcome of the arrival of goddess Danteswari in a palanquin, a royal durbar and aarti. The tribal communities here celebrate with folk songs and dances, tribal art and local deities with a bit of witchcraft thrown in for good measure.
The Ramleela of Varanasi is a special attraction around Dussehra; particularly the Ram Lila of Ramnagar Fort.
An artistic display of dolls called golu is the highlight here. The dolls are ranged over nine levels or steps to denote each of the days of Navratri. This is accompanied by people in traditional garb signing, intoning devotional chants and offering prasadam.
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