Oct 02 2019 8 mins
Dussera of Vijaya Dashmi (also known as Vijaya in Bengali) is celebrated every year to celebrate the victory of Good over Evil. This festival is preceded by the 9 day festival of Navaratri, which means festival of nine nights.
Dasara, or Vijayadashami, is a significant Hindu festival celebrating the triumph of good over evil. It follows Navratri, a nine-night celebration marked by worship, dance, and festivities. Key stories include Lord Rama's victory over Ravana and Goddess Durga's defeat of Mahishasura. Celebrations vary regionally: in Gujarat, Garba dances are prominent, while in Bengal and Orissa,
Durga Puja with idol worship and traditional foods is central. Mysore hosts grand processions and illuminations. The festival also honors knowledge, with Saraswati worshipped on the seventh day, marking the start of education for some children. Traditions include worshipping tools on the eighth day, inspired by the Pandavas. Additionally, the story of Kautsa and the king's generosity leads to exchanging Apati leaves in Maharashtra. Dasara encapsulates cultural, religious, and educational elements, reinforcing the victory of good over evil and the pursuit of knowledge.
Listen to this episode to learn how this festival is celebrated in different parts of India, particularly Bengal and Odisha, Gujarat, and the city of Mysuru in Karnataka. Also learn about the different legends associated with this festival, such as the victory of Lord Ram over Ravan, the slaying of the demon Mahishasur by Goddess Durga, praying to Goddess Saraswati, and the story of Pandavas and Dussera.
This episode was narrated by Lakshmi. Music titled Music Box Gift. Story has been produced by gaatha story.
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