The festival of Navaratri which culminates with Vijayadashami commemorates the legend in which the Goddess Durga vanquishes the demon Mahishasura. In Northern India, the same 10-day festival commemorates the victory of Rama, prince of Ayodhya over Ravana, the ruler of Lanka - Dushera
Also, another and little-known legend associated with this festival, one associated with the Mahabharata. The Pandavas underwent a period of exile, being 12 years of dwelling in the forest followed by a year of exile incognito. Disguise being indispensable during the latter period, the Pandavas found it necessary to lay aside, for the length of that year, the many divine and distinctive weapons that they possessed. These they secreted in a 'Shami' tree in the vicinity of their chosen place of incognito residence. At the end of a year, they returned to the spot, found their weaponry intact, and worshipped in thanksgiving both the Shami tree and the Goddess Durga,
In South Africa, Durban, after the nine nights of garbo (such fun) and Amba ma na Puja, on Dushera we burn an effigy of Ravana indicating Sri Rama's victory and light fireworks signifying the victory of goodness over evil, light over darkness and of course Durga Ma's victory over Mahishsura.
lll Hari Aum... Jai Ambe... Jai Siya Ram lll
Shiv Shakti
