Dussera literally means the tenth day. It marks the end of the nine days of Navratri. Dussera means different things to different people. Vijayadashami as Dussera is also known, celebrates the homecoming of Lord Rama the hero of the epic Ramayana, after he rescued his wife Sita from Ravana, the king of Lanka.

Dussera can also be interpreted as "Dasa-Hara", which means the cutting of the ten heads of Ravana. The 'Ramleela', a folk play, retelling the story of the life of Rama, is enacted for the nine days of Navratri ending on Dussera, the day Rama slays Ravana. Songs are sung in praise of Rama and people in thousands witness this traditional theatre with its exaggerated costumes, jewelry, makeup and drama. Effigies of Ravana are set ablaze, signifying the victory of good over evil. In modern times it calls for efforts to destroy the demon of our ego, and radiate peace and love wherever we go.

Dussera is also reminiscent of the end of the exile and banishment of the Pandava princes in the epic Mahabharata and their return with their weapons to reclaim their kingdom. In memory of this epic story, people in the state of Maharashtra worship the implements/tools of their professions and distribute the leaves of the Shami tree, which is considered as valuable as gold, but only for a day to express their goodwill.

Vijayadashami is also celebrated as the day of victory to rejoice about Durga's triumph over the demons led by Mahishasura. It is essentially a festival in honor of Durga, another name for Parvathi, Lord Shiva's wife. Therefore the famous 'Durga Puja' is carried out on this day. The story behind it is that one-day Parvathi's son Sri Ganesha playfully moulded a figure out of the ashes, and breathed life into it! This was the terrible demon Bhandasura. He engaged himself in great penance and on account of it obtained a boon from Lord Shiva. With the help of that boon, he began harassing the worlds. The Divine Mother fought with him for nine nights (the demons have extraordinary strength during the night), and killed him on the evening of the tenth day, known as the Vijaya Dasami. Once again signifying the victory of good over evil. Therefore on this day you pray to Mother Durga to destroy all your impurities, your vices, your defects. She is to fight with and annihilate the baser animal qualities in the spiritual aspirant, the lower, diabolical nature in you. Once you have accomplished your task on the negative side, that of breaking down the impure propensities and old vicious habits, the next step is to build up a sublime spiritual personality, to acquire positive qualities in place of the eliminated demoniacal qualities.

Vijayadashami is also the day of the Saraswati or the deity of knowledge and learning. People celebrate Dussera as an auspicious day for new beginnings. Many children begin their education, their dance or music, art or sport lessons on this day. Adults also begin new ventures, projects and journeys on this day. The whole period from Navratri to Diwali is considered festive season and people visit their family and friends to share and exchange festive food, sweets, and gifts and enjoy a joyful family ambience of celebrations.

- Anita R amchandani

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