India is all geared up to celebrate Dussehra (Dasara), a Hindu festival that marks the victory of good over evil. Dussehra is celebrated on the 10th day of the Ashvin month, the seventh month in the Hindu calendar and this year the festival falls on October 11.
Dussehra, which is derived from Sanskrit word Dasha-hara meaning the removal of 10 bad qualities, is an important festival celebrated in India as well as Nepal. On this day, people burn huge effigies of King Ravana, his son Meghnad and brother Kumbhakaran across the country to celebrate the victory of good.
People watch as an effigy of demon king Ravana burns during the Hindu festival of Dussehra in Mumbai, India, October 22, 2015. Effigies of the 10-headed Demon King "Ravana" are burnt on Dussehra, the Hindu festival that commemorates the triumph of Hindu god Rama over the Ravana, marking the victory of good over evil.Reuters
Why is Dussehra celebrated?
Dussehra, which is also called as Vijayadashami, marks the end of Navaratri and beginning of winter in India. According to Hindu mythology, Hindu god Rama killed Ravana on this day to rescue his wife Sita. The festival also marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura after fighting with him for 10 days and nine nights.
One of the important parts of the Dussehra in India is Ramleela. People in India attend Ramleela, a play that enacts Hindu deity Rama's battle to kill the 10-headed demon king Ravana. Ramleela is one of the oldest most popular dramas in India. On the day of Dussehra, hundreds of people flock to watch the play.
In photos how India celebrates Dussehra:
An artisan applies final touches to an effigy of the demon king Ravana in preparation for the upcoming Hindu festival of Dussehra in Jammu October 7, 2016.Reuters
An artisan paints an effigy of demon king Ravana during preparation for the upcoming Hindu festival of Dussehra in Ajmer, India, September 30, 2016.Reuters
Artisans dress up a 27-foot long model of Kumbhakarna, younger brother of demon king Ravana, a Hindu mythological character, at a seven day long 'Health Wealth and Happiness' carnival organised by the Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya spiritual organisation in Chandigarh, India, September 21, 2016.Reuters
An artist dressed as Hindu God Rama acts in a religious play during Dussehra festival celebrations in Chandigarh, India, October 22, 2015. Effigies of the 10-headed Demon King "Ravana" are burnt on Dussehra, the Hindu festival that commemorates the triumph of Hindu god Rama over the Ravana, marking the victory of good over evil.Reuters
Fire crackers are set-off before an effigy of demon King Ravana is set on fire during the Hindu festival of Dussehra in Srinagar October 22, 2015. Effigies of the 10-headed Demon King "Ravana" are burnt on Dussehra, the Hindu festival that commemorates the triumph of Hindu god Rama over the Ravana, marking the victory of good over evil.Reuters
An effigy of demon king Ravana burns during the Hindu festival of Dussehra in Ahmedabad, India, October 22, 2015. Effigies of the 10-headed Demon King "Ravana" are burnt on Dussehra, the Hindu festival that commemorates the triumph of Hindu god Rama over the Ravana, marking the victory of good over evil.Reuters
An artist dressed as demon king Ravana waits to performing during Ramlila, a re-enactment of the life of Lord Rama, during Dussehra festival celebrations in Mumbai, India, October 22, 2015.Reuters
