Dussehra

Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is one of the most important festivals celebrated in various forms across India, Nepal and Bangladesh. Dussehra is derived from Sanskrit word Dasha-hara, meaning ‘remover of bad fate’, which signifies the slaying of the demon king Ravana by Lord Rama. Dasara or Dussehra is celebrated on the tenth day of the Hindu autumn lunar month of Ashvin or Ashwayuja, which falls in September or October of the Western calendar. The first nine days are celebrated as Maha Navratri and culminates on the tenth day as Dussehra. During these 10 days, many plays and dramas based on the Hindu epic Ramayana are performed. There are outdoor fairs and large parades with effigies of Ravana organised. Actors dressed as Lord Rama, Goddess Sita and Lord Rama’s brother—Lord Lakshmana re-enact the final moments of the battle to free Goddess Sita from Ravana. The person playing Lord Rama shoots a flaming arrow at the effigies and the crowd cheers as the effigies explode with fireworks and flames.