Dusshera, is a one of the major Hindu festival, that is celebrated in the month of Ashvin, according to the Hindu Lunisolar calendar. This festival is celebrated at the end of the Navratri, every year and is also known by another name called Viayadasami. This festival falls in the month of September or October, according to the Gregorian calendar, each and every year. Even though, this festival is celebrated all over Indian Subcontinent, it is celebrated for different reasons. In Eastern and North eastern parts of our country, this festival is celebrated marking the end of the Durga Puja, which is celebrated for acknowledging the Goddess Durga’s victory over the buffalo headed and shape-shifting demon, ‘Mahishasura\.
In other regions like Northern, Southern and Western parts of the country, it is celebrated for acknowledging the victory of Lord Rama, over the demon and a ten headed King Ravana. Including this, it also marks the reverence for one of the Goddess Durga or Saraswati.
Rituals and Celebrations of Dusshera 2018:
The name meaning of this festival is ‘Victory at the Tenth day’, where Vijaya denotes Victory and Dasami denotes Tenth. This festival commonly denotes the victory of Good over evil. In Northern parts of the country, this festival is celebrated for acknowledging the victory of Lord Rama and people dance, chant and play drums in open areas, on temporarily set up stages. In many parts, stage shows depicting the life story of Lord Rama is also arranged.
In Southern parts of the country, people celebrate by worshipping Goddess Durga and her other forms like Saraswati. They decorate the idols with lights and flowers, during this day. Since Goddess Saraswati, is considered as the Goddess of Knowledge, wisdom, she is worshipped with notes, books and pen, for knowledge.
In other regions of the country, since Viayadasami marks the end of Navratri, a great ritual of immersing the idols of Goddess Durga, in the nearby water bodies, are held. It is believed that, after this ritual Goddess Durga, returns to Mount Kailash. In Nepal, also this day is celebrated as Dashain, where youngsters visit the elderly and receive their blessings on this day.
Date, Puja Time and Muhurat of Dusshera 2018:
Since this is celebrated in the month of Ashvin, according to the Hindu Lunisolar calendar, it tends to fall in the month of September or October, according to the Gregorian calendar.
- Date: Friday, October 19, 2018
- Vijay Muhrat: 15:10 – 16:01
- Duration: 51 minute
- Aparahna Puja Time: 14:18 – 16:53
- Duration: 2 hours 35 minutes