Learning About The Legends Associated With Dussehra
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On October 15, 2021
Learning About The Legends Associated With Dussehra
The festival of Dussehra, which is also popular by the name of Vijaydashami, is celebrated across India and Nepal to commemorate the victory of good over evil. The festival also marks the end of the nine day long Navaratri festival and falls on the tenth day of the month of Ashwin of Hindu calendar. Various legends are associated with the celebration of this festival as explained below.
Killing Of Ravana
The most popular and accepted legend about the celebration of Dussehra, is derived from the Hindu mythological epic of Ramayana. According to the legend, Ravana abducted Devi Sita, the pious wife of Lord Ram and placed her under captivity in his golden city of Lanka, located 100 miles across the sea. Lord Ram then build a bridge of stones to reach Lanka, along with a huge army of monkeys. After having given ample warnings to return Sita, to which Ravana paid no heed, Ram fought a nine day long war with the demon king, finally killing him on the 10th day. This day came to be celebrated as Dussehra, from then on.
Killing Of Mahishasur
This legend is related to Goddess Durga and explains why the festival is also known by the name of Vijaydashami. It is said that once the fierce and tyrant demon Mahishasur had created havoc on earth and even terrorized the gods and made them captive.
To overcome his brutality and end his atrocities, the gods combined their energies to give birth to Goddess Durga, a deity having ten hands each of which featured a different weapon provided by the gods. Goddess Durga fought a fierce battle with Mahishasur for nine days and nights before slaying him on the tenth day. This day on which the goddess attained victory over the demon began to be celebrated as Vijaydashami, which means the tenth day of victory.
End Of Agyatvas Of Pandavas
According to yet another legend taken from the Hindu mythological epic Mahabharta, it was on this day that the agyatwas of Pandvas came to an end. This was the day when the Pandvas, took up their weapon for the first time after having lived incognito for a year in the kingdom of Virat.
They were forced into this action by the sudden attack of Kauravas on the, kingdom and after Duryodhana suspected them of being there in hiding. The ensuing war was the first step in the taken by the Kauravas and the Pandvas in the direction of fighting the great battle of Kurukshetra.
WISH YOU ALL A HAPPY DUSSEHRA
TOPICS DussehraEnd Of Agyatvas Of PandavasGoddess DurgaKilling Of MahishasurKilling Of RavanaMahishasurVijaydashami
To overcome his brutality and end his atrocities, the gods combined their energies to give birth to Goddess Durga, a deity having ten hands each of which featured a different weapon provided by the gods. Goddess Durga fought a fierce battle with Mahishasur for nine days and nights before slaying him on the tenth day. This day on which the goddess attained victory over the demon began to be celebrated as Vijaydashami, which means the tenth day of victory.
Happy Dussehra to you too! This is a nice way of putting the legend of this festival qcross. The victory of good over evil ia always inspiring.
Appreciate you sharing your culture and this story. It’s great learning about it! Amazing writing!
We have been listening to Dussehra stories since childhood but surprisingly we never bored of remembering them now also. I feel that we should try to understand the meaning behind these festivals and remember it always.
You have written a great post that will add value to the present generation. I was aware of the Mahabharat fact, thanks for sharing it.
Here is USA we get a less chance to celebrate Indian festivals in typical Indian style. your posts always warm my heart and I feel so close to our ancient Indian culture. thank you so much for reminding me Dussehra stories with this post.
I love the way you introduce us to the significance of these festivals. You’re doing a great job. Not many are aware of the real meaning behind them. Loved the facts.