One festival, many traditions: Dusshera

Happy Festivities Across India

Happy festivities everyone! Navratri, Durga Pooja, Dusshera, Ayudh Pooja …what a time of the year, for celebrations throughout the country!

Here is a perfect read by 9-year-old Ishaan Satheesh from Chennai, summarizing how people from different parts celebrate. Ishaan is a mischievous boy who loves to explore. He is passionate about cars and always dreaming about them. His love for stories has always been there and it has  made him start writing them recently. Ishaan is a student of Sunshine Chennai Senior Secondary School, Chennai

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The Story Behind Dussehra

Mahisha was a deceitful demon and he was powerful. He was the son of  Rambha and great grandson of Kashyap. All the gods were troubled by Mahisha, they went to Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva for help since they are the powerful gods. Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva combined together and created a destructive female power, known as Durga or  -Mahishasuramardini. Durga and Mahisha fought for nine nights (called as Navarathri literally meaning nine nights). On the tenth day of war between Mahisha and Durga, Durga wins.

Regional Celebrations

North India

In North India, they celebrate it as Ram-leela wherein big puppets of ten- headed Ravana will be killed by Rama with bow and arrow lit with fire.

East India

In East  India, it is observed as Bijoyo Dashomi. They immerse Durga’s idol in the  nearby river or ocean. In West India, both the goddess Durga and Lord Rama are admired for their victory over evil. Fasting and prayers at temples are  common. They wear a dress called Garba and dance with colored sticks,  known as Dandiya. In south India, people keep colorful figurines known as  golu. The festival was celebrated at Vijayanagara historically for Goddess  Durga (The warrior Goddess).

West India

Many of us celebrate Dussehra.

South India

Golu for navratri  or gombe golu will be kept in a ladder like structure with broader steps. The steps can be 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 or 11 depending on the number of idols. We have kept Golu in a 5 step-ladder at my place, in Chennai.

How We Celebrate Dussehra

I have kept the  idols of Durga, Ashtalakshmi, Saraswathi, Dhasavadaram, Rama, Krishna and many more. Panagam(sweet jaggery water) and Pulses (Sundal) will be offered to god. We invite friends and relatives to our home. Guests will be served  Panagam(sweet jaggery water) and Pulses (Sundal).  Devotional songs or  slokas will be recited everyday in front of the golu.

While the guest leaves, they will be given thamboolam. Thamboolam contains betel leaves, betel nuts, turmeric powder, kumkum, mirror, comb, glass  bangles, mehendi, flowers for ladies and gifts for kids. It is considered  auspicious to give thamboolam to more number of people.

On the night of the tenth day aurati is taken to indicate the victory of gods and  goddesses and the idols are put down to indicate rest. On the following day  the idols are packed and kept inside. Thus, ends the Dussehra festival for the  year.

Wishing you all a happy and auspicious Dussehra! On this special and  auspicious day of Dussehra, as we all celebrate valour and courage, the triumph of good over evil. I wish you success and happiness in everything you  do.

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FAQs: Dussehra – One Festival, Many Traditions

1. What is Dussehra?
Dussehra is a Hindu festival celebrating the victory of good over evil, marked by the defeat of the demon Mahisha by Goddess Durga.

2. Why is Dussehra celebrated differently across India?
Different regions have unique traditions:

• North India: Ram-leela and burning Ravana effigies.

• East India: Immersion of Durga idols (Bijoya Dashomi).

• West India: Garba dances and worship of Durga and Rama.

• South India: Display of colorful Golu dolls.

3. What is Golu?
Golu is the arrangement of decorative dolls and figurines on steps, usually depicting gods, goddesses and cultural themes.

4. What are Panagam and Sundal?

• Panagam: Sweet jaggery water.

• Sundal: Cooked pulses offered to gods and served to guests.

5. What is Thamboolam?
A collection of auspicious items and small gifts given to guests as blessings during the festival.

6. What lessons does Dussehra teach children?

• The importance of good triumphing over evil.

• Respect for traditions and cultural heritage.

• Generosity, gratitude, and community bonding.

7. How long does Navratri last?
Navratri lasts nine nights, leading up to the tenth day, Dussehra, when victory of Lord Ram over Ravana and defeat of the demon Mahisha by Goddess Durga is celebrated.

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This article is published by Bookosmia, India’s #1 publisher for and by young people. Bookosmia publishes stories, books, podcasts, events, TED-Ed talks, workshops, bedtime stories and more related to kids and young adults.

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Nine days of Navrati/ Golu| Festival Blog by Sandya, 14, Chennai