Dolls, dandiya sticks and Durga pandals galore… It’s festival time yet again!
Every year, the nine-day Navaratri culminates in Dussehra on the tenth day and is celebrated during the Ashvin month of the Hindu calendar, marking the beginning of a new harvest season.
But what’s a festival without a story behind it? Different cultures in India celebrate the elaborate Navaratri festival in their own unique way. But the cause for celebration is one — to commemorate the triumph of good over evil — be it Rama’s victory over the 10-headed demon king Ravana or Durga’s slaying of demon Mahishasura after nine nights and ten days of continuous battle.
Here’s a look at how Dussehra is celebrated across the country:
Mysore Dasara: It is one of the most famous celebrations in the country, replete with parades, cultural performances, wrestling matches and fairs. This state festival of Karnataka was started by the royal family of Mysore — the Wodeyars — in 1610. Four hundred years on, the festivities during the 10 days are just as grand today. On the tenth day, the idol of Chamundeshwari is paraded through the city on a caparisoned elephant, with guards on horses escorting, bands, dancers and armed forces making up the procession that starts from the opulent Mysore Palace. As if this wasn’t enough, a fair is also held every year on Dussehra with various stalls selling clothes, food and kitchenware, besides several games and rides.
Durga Puja: The last six days of Navaratri are celebrated as Durga Puja in West Bengal. During this time, elaborately decorated or themed pandals (temporary shed-like structures) are erected with grand clay statues of Durga that are worshipped by devotees. Alongside, there is the ritual drumming and dancing.
On the tenth day, the idols are immersed in the river, similar to the Ganesh Visarjan that follows Ganesh Chaturthi. Odisha’s celebrations are similar as well.
Kullu Dussehra: One of the grandest and historically rich festivities during Navaratri takes place in the Kullu Valley in Himachal Pradesh. In fact, the Kullu Dussehra begins when the rest of India winds up its celebrations. Beginning on the tenth day, the idol of Raghunath is paraded across the historic Dhalpur Maidan on a grand chariot. Over 250 local deities of the valley — all colourfully decked up — are assembled at the maidan for a week, during which a seven-day fair is hosted — with dance and theatre. Dussehra also marks the beginning of the International Folk Festival.
Vijayadasami: In south India, Navaratri sees households set up Kolu — an arrangement of dolls on a temporary stair-like structure — for nine days. Families, friends and neighbours are invited to each others’ houses to witness the Kolu.
The tenth day of this celebration is observed as Vijayadasami when Saraswati, the god of learning and arts, is worshipped. This is seen as an auspicious day to begin formal education or start learning an art. Books and tools are also worshipped on this day.
Dandiya-Raas: Gujarat’s Navaratri celebrations are synonymous with the folk dances of Garba and Dandiya-Raas . The dancers in colourful, traditional attires usually perform in circles to the beat of drums and songs. The Dandiya-Raas is performed with sticks imitating the fight between Durga and Mahishasura.
Ramlila: This time of the year is famous for the folk enactment of Rama’s life that goes on for 10 days. On the last day, the final battle between Rama and the demon king Ravana, which ends with a giant effigy of the demon king being set on fire, is staged. Of all the Ramlilas staged across the country, the most high-profile and the largest one would be the celebrations at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi.
Published - September 18, 2014 05:28 pm IST
