India is renowned for its rich culture and traditions. Though there are plenty of activities to do around, religious celebrations in India frame an imperative role. Indian festivals describe the religious and social significances of various religions and languages. Dussehra is a famous Indian festival that is celebrated from September to October by Hindus. It is celebrated to remark the success of good over immoral forces.
Dusshera festival is also termed as Vijaya Dashami, Dasara or Durga Pooja. In India, it is grandly celebrated in Mysore, Assam, Jharkhand, Manipur, Tripura, West Bengal and Bihar. As the greater part of Bengali Hindus resides in Tripura and West Bengal, they celebrate Durga Pooja as the biggest event of the year. The conclusion of Navarathri festival is fêted as Dussehra.
How Dussehra is Celebrated?
People throng to city’s prominent temples and offer special prayer meetings. Most of the Hindu belief people offer food to god from home or at temples. In some areas, people celebrate for up to ten days by organizing special events everyday. In Mysore, Dussehra festival is celebrated on a grand manner, which tourists from all over the world throng to watch the elaborate affair.
Mysore Palace
The Mysore Palace will be enlightened using one lakh light bulb on all ten days in the evenings (7 to 10 PM). It is said that they spend about Rs. 1 Crore every year for maintenance of the bulbs alone. In addition, various dances and cultural festivals, food festivals, wrestling, sports and film festival highlighting the event are performed in the Mysore palace. Famous artists and musicians from all over the country perform and showcase their talents on this grand stage.
The major highlight of this event is, Holy Goddess Chamundeshwari will be adorned on a golden mantapa and be placed on top of a decorated elephant. Devotees worship the idol before it is placed in its possession. Mysore’s royal family offers special prayers on this auspicious occasion. The entire city witnesses colorful lights, cultural programmes, traditional music and enchanting celebration all over.
Most of the Hindus have a belief that it is fortunate to start a new project or venture on this occasion. All cooking pans, vehicles, work related and household tools are blessed with special prayers. In the evening, the statues of Ravana are burnt on beacons. The devotees in Bengal prepare alur dom (deep fried spicy potato snacks) and luchi (deep fried bread) as special foods on this event.
If you are planning on a trip to India, make sure you do not miss to watch this striking celebration.
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