India’s biggest festival Navratri which is also known as Durga Puja, this year begins on September 26, 2022, and ends on October 5, 2022, with the Dussehra celebration.
Durga Puja is celebrated across India but is hugely popular in West Bengal, which attracts lots of domestic and International tourists every year.
Also read: Tourist Rush in Durga Puja
Dussehra also known as Vijayadashami is celebrated at the end of Navratri every year. According to the Hindu Calendar, the festival falls on the full moon day and according to the Gregorian months, it is celebrated in September and October. There are different reasons to celebrate the day in different parts of India. In the East and Northeast parts, it is considered the end of Durga Puja. They remember Goddess for killing the buffalo demon to help restore Dharma. In the North, South and West parts of India, the festival marks the end of Ramlila and people remember Ram’s victory over Ravana.
Significance of Dussehra
On the eve of Dussehra, the clay idols of the Goddess Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesha and Kartikeya are immersed in the river or pond with a wish to celebrate the day again in the next year. On the same day, a big effigy of Ravana is burnt with fireworks, symbolizing evil’s destruction. Vijayadasami gives reason to people to get ready for another big festival, called Diwali which is celebrated after 20 days of Dussehra.
History of Dussehra
Dussehra is celebrated as the Goddess Durga’s victor over the demon. But a large number of Hindus consider it the triumph of good over evil. Lord Rama killed the demon king Ravana on this day. The world’s famous Hindu epic, Ramayana, describes how Ram killed Ravana and saved his wife from the clutch of the demon. Shoorpanakha, a sister of Ravana evoked her brother kidnapped Ram’s wife, Sita. Thus, the battle between Rama and Ravana started.
Dussehra Celebrations
Almost all Hindus have faith for the day and they offer prayers to the Goddess Durga. There are fairs organized by many Hindu societies. Dussehra is celebrated with full of enthusiasm.
Ramlila is organized in many parts of India, describing Ram and Ravana’s fight which is actually a fight of good over evil.
In Mysore, the state of Karnataka, a large procession of Goddess Chamundeshwari on the throne mounted on elephants is taken out on the day.
In West Bengal, women play Sindoor ki Holi before immersing Goddess Durga. Special food is prepared including luchi (fried bread) and alur dom (a potato recipe) in Bengal.
For many Hindus, Dussehra is one of the best days to start a new venture.
Navratri Garba
Every year, Hindus celebrate Navratra full of zeal, excitement and enthusiasm. Enjoyment of the festival becomes double when Garba is organized by the Puja Committee. Garba is a special dance form that is primarily performed during Navratra. It is organized in the Gujarati society mostly, but today it is getting into a trend across India and among Hindus living abroad.
Brightly-dressed people swirl in unison at the pace of dhol. It is mesmerized to see such dancers. Anyone can be a part of this traditional dance because the steps are easy to learn. Usually, a few same steps are followed that are easy to remember.
Navratri is celebrated with a Garbo. A garbo is an earthen pot with holes in it which is placed in the worship area. There is a small earthen lamp called Diya is placed inside the holy pot. Gujratis lit the lamp for the whole 9 days and some lit the lamp while organizing the dance. Garbo stands for Mata Amaba (Goddess Durga). The pot signifies the womb and the Garbo word is derived from Garbha which is a Sanskrit word for womb. The dance word Garba originated from Garbo. According to custom, dancers of Garbha make a circle and place the light in mid of the circle. They dance around the lamp full of joy and energy. The dance forms are considered similar to the Sufi culture. The Garba dance shows that the womb is present in everyone. It also shows that everyone has divine energy. The dance brings people together.
It is believed that the dance form was first organized by Rani Rukhmini, Lord Krishn’s wife to celebrate Navratri in Dwarka.
Attire to Wear for the Dance
The dance is traditional. It is performed in a specific type of attire that is of bright colours. The traditional cloth is easily available in Gujarat cities. You may have to pay a little effort to look at the kind of dress in the Northern parts of India.
For women, the attire is called Ghagra-choli. The dress is so colourful. It has mirror work, embroidery and some beadwork that glaze during the dance. Traditional accessories like Kadas, Jhumkas and mang-tikas are worn with this attire.
For men, kediyu (a short kurta with a flare at the bottom) is worn. Kafni pyjamas are worn which are loose and breathable. Let’s enjoy the festival full of spirit.
