Essays

India is the land of distinct culture and colourful festivals. Each festival in India has its own meaning and purpose of  celebration. The festival of Dussehra has a religious-historical meaning and inherent values. It is celebrated on Danshvi (10th day) of lunar month.

According to the great Indian epic, Ramayana, Ravana was a great scholar but a demon. He was the king of Lanka. He was killed on this day by Rama.  Bengalis believe that Durga came on the earth on this day. The meaning of Durga is victory of good over evil. We celebrate Dussehra so that our evils are destroyed and goodness triumphs. It connotes ten evils, which man should conquer as Duss' means ten and 'hara' means defeat.

Dussehra is celebrated in all the part of India with joy and fervour. The effigies of the demon kings, Ravana, Kumbhkarna and Meghnath are burnt. The play of Ramayana are staged and fairs are arranged all over the country. People feast and distribute sweets. The children wear new clothes and get toys and sweet.

In some communities on this day, sisters put a tilak on their brother's forehead. They pray for their welfare. Businessmen worship their account books on this day. Dussehra not only brings joy but also inspires us to win over our bad instincts by good deeds and pious thoughts.