The Triumph of Goodness || Happy Dusshera!

Page

Nishi

@.nerfherder

Sparkler

Posted: 8 years ago

Dusshera, also known as Dasara or Vijayadashami is one of the major Hindu festivals celebrated at the end of Navratri every year. It is observed on the tenth day in the Hindu calendar month of Ashvin, which typically falls in the Gregorian months of September and October.

Vijayadashami is observed for different reasons and celebrated differently in various parts of the Indian Subcontinent. In the eastern and northeastern states of India, Vijayadashami marks the end of Durga Puja, remembering goddess Durga's victory over the buffalo demon to help restore Dharma. In the northern, southern and western states, the festival is synonymously called Dussehra (also spelled Dasara, Dashahara). In these regions, it marks the end of "Ramleela" and remembers Lord Rama's victory over the demon king Raavana, or alternatively it marks a reverence for one of the aspects of goddess Devi such as Durga or Saraswati.

In it's most basic form, Dusshera represents the moral victory of good over evil, hence serving as an ideology for the people to follow.

With this, the Crazy Creatives wish you all A Very Happy Dusshera and hope, now and forever, that evil succumbs to good.

|| -RD- || .LilGreenRobot. || .-Amethyst-. ||

Quote

Frequent Posters

MJ1009cc

@MJ_1009

Achiever

+ 7

Posted: 8 years ago

Although Dussera is commonly associated with the 'end of the demon, Ravana, by Lord Rama, it is celebrated differently in Bastar, Chhattisgarh. Lasting for 75 days, it honors Goddess 'Danteshwari Devi.'

It is commemorated from mid-August (Amavasya during the Shravana month) with the veneration of wood (patra jaap) to the thirteenth day of the month of Ashwin.

The practices of this festival originated 500 years ago and welcomes everyone to rejoice this occasion with complete enthusiasm. It is said that a Katkiya ruler, King Purushottam Deo transformed into 'Rath pati' after traveling to the Jagannath Puri temple, alongside with an approval to ride a chariot.

Alongside worshiping the wood, there are several other rituals performed which include:

Deri Gadhi - placing the pillars

Kachan Gadhi - a throne for Kachan Devi

Kalash Sthapana - preparing urns

Jogi Bithai/Uthai - a saint's atonement and rise

Rath Parikrama - making rounds with a chariot

Nisha Jatra - The Celebration of Night

Maoli Parghav - Venerating Devi Maoli

Bheetar/Bahar Raini - the inner and outer circuit

Kachan Jatra - Giving appreciation

Muria Durbar - the meeting of the tribal chiefs

Ohadi - Bidding farewell to Gods and Godess

Nearby gods (from smaller temples) go to Jagdalpur and different groups coordinated with each other on the traveling. The Saoras of Odisha initiate the rath under the supervision of the Dhakada group. The veneration is performed by the Khaki group while the Parja group begins pulling the chariot, supported by the Maria and the Dhurwa groups to pull the 'rath.'

Back in old days, the king sat in the chariot but, nowadays, the chariot has 'Danteshwari Devi' taking his place in the form of an umbrella. The pulling of the rath starts from the second day to the seventh day. On Vijaydashmi (10th day), an eight-wheeled chariot performs an inner circuit whereas on the 12th day, everyone prays by venerating Devi Kachan.

The chief representatives travel to Sirasar to talk about the well-being of the people. The Maoli Goddess is departed besides other gods and goddesses.