Why is Dussehra significant to us?

Understanding the significance of Dussehra helps in unlocking several truths about the festival.

All our folklore is centred around one dominant theme: the victory of good over evil. Even all the fairy tales and children’s stories that we have grown up hearing have this concept at their core. We are conditioned to believe that goodness eventually triumphs over evil, no matter how hard the journey or how difficult the circumstances. Hence, our festivals also reflect this same philosophy as they bind entire communities together in celebration.

Dussehra is one such festival. It is celebrated all over India in different ways. It represents the triumph of Lord Rama over the 10-headed rakshasa king Ravana. The day is also known as Vijayadashama (The day of victory) and is believed to be the culmination of Lord Rama’s successful battle with Ravana over 10 days of war. It is hence, an auspicious day that is waited for with bated breath by those who wish to launch new ventures.

There is fasting for nine days leading up to Dussehra, with the 10^th day being one of celebration. Since the day is considered an auspicious one, it is time to take stock of the year gone by and venerate the tools of our trade – hence, parents encourage children to lay flowers and vermillion on their study books, businessmen ‘bless’ their accounts, workmen worship their tools and new houses or offices are opened on this day.

The festival of Dussehra has many literal manifestations – take a cue from the Ravana Dahana festivities and Ram Leela celebrations all over the country – but it is also a time for the deepest introspection. Though the exploits of Rama make for a great story, they also urge the listener to imbibe the qualities of goodness, truth, humility and loyalty. They teach the importance of staying on the right path of justice and truth, and of staying away from evil at all times.

It also explains the philosophy of brotherhood, never coveting what belongs to another, and to always be respectful of all living things. At a more spiritual level, people believe that Dussehra also indicates that whenever society falls into chaos and evil spreads its tentacles far and wide, a time comes when God descends on Earth to restore order to things. He appears in front of His ardent devotees to offer salvation and a new direction to weed out corruption in both thoughts and actions.

Thus, Dussehra is not just an occasion for buying new clothes and eating sweets – it is a day to count one’s blessings and cleanse one’s heart and mind of all evil.