How Different States Celebrate Dussehra Across India
Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is a bright and joyful festival celebrated all over India. It marks the victory of good over evil. People remember how Lord Rama defeated the demon king Ravana and how Goddess Durga conquered the buffalo demon Mahishasura. But did you know that Dussehra looks different in every state? Let's take a simple journey across India to see how people in different places celebrate this wonderful festival.
West Bengal: The Grand Durga Puja
In West Bengal, Dussehra is called Durga Puja. It is the biggest festival of the year. For five days, people worship Goddess Durga with great devotion. Beautiful idols of the goddess are made and placed in grand pandals, which are special tents decorated with lights and art. Families and friends dress up in new clothes and visit these pandals to pray and admire the decorations.
On the last day, known as Dashami, the idols are taken in big processions to rivers or lakes for immersion. Women playfully smear each other with red powder called sindoor as a sign of good luck. The air is filled with the sounds of drums, bells, and joyful chants. It is a time of happiness and togetherness.
Gujarat: Dancing the Nights Away with Garba
In Gujarat, Dussehra comes after nine nights of dancing called Navratri. Every night, people gather in open spaces to perform Garba and Dandiya Raas dances. They dress in colorful traditional clothes. Women wear beautiful ghagra cholis, and men wear kurtas with turbans. The dances are energetic and full of life.
Garba is danced in a circle around a lamp or an idol of Goddess Durga. Dandiya Raas involves pairs dancing with sticks, clapping them together in rhythm. The music is lively, and everyone from young children to the elderly joins in. It is a joyful way to honor the goddess and celebrate community spirit.
Karnataka (Mysore): The Royal Procession
In the city of Mysore in Karnataka, Dussehra is celebrated with royal splendor. The festival here is called Mysore Dasara. The magnificent Mysore Palace is decorated with thousands of lights, making it glow beautifully at night.
One of the main attractions is the grand procession on Vijayadashami day. A golden idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari, another name for Durga, is placed on a richly decorated elephant. The procession includes colorful floats, music bands, dancers, and decorated horses and camels. People line the streets to watch this spectacular event. The festival also features cultural programs, exhibitions, and a big fair.
Delhi: The Dramatic Ramlila and Burning of Ravana
In the capital city of Delhi, Dussehra is celebrated by reenacting the story of Lord Rama. This performance is called Ramlila. For several days, actors play out scenes from the epic tale Ramayana in open-air theaters. Families come to watch the plays, which teach lessons about honesty, bravery, and kindness.
On the final day, huge effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhakarna, and his son Meghnad are set up in large grounds. These effigies are stuffed with fireworks. At sunset, actors dressed as Lord Rama and his wife Sita shoot flaming arrows at the effigies, making them burst into flames. The crowd cheers as the effigies burn, symbolizing the victory of good over evil.
Himachal Pradesh (Kullu): A Week-Long Celebration
In the Kullu Valley of Himachal Pradesh, Dussehra starts when it ends in other places. The festival here lasts for seven days. People bring idols of local deities from different villages to the Kullu Dussehra celebrations. These idols are carried in colorful palanquins and accompanied by music and dancing.
The main idol is of Lord Raghunath, another name for Lord Rama. The deities are paraded around, and people pray for peace and prosperity. On the last day, a pile of wood and grass is set on fire on the banks of the river Beas to symbolize the burning of Lanka, Ravana's kingdom.
Tamil Nadu: Displaying Golu Dolls
In Tamil Nadu, people celebrate Dussehra by setting up a special display called Golu. They arrange dolls and figurines on steps, usually in odd numbers like 5, 7, or 9. These dolls represent gods, goddesses, animals, and scenes from everyday life.
Families invite friends and neighbors to see their Golu displays. Children enjoy singing songs and get sweets and small gifts in return. Women perform special prayers and prepare delicious food. The festival is also a time to honor learning and the arts. On Saraswati Puja, which falls during this time, people worship books and musical instruments.
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana: The Colorful Bathukamma
In the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Dussehra is celebrated with a floral festival called Bathukamma. Women make beautiful flower arrangements in the shape of a cone using local flowers like marigold and chrysanthemum.
In the evenings, women gather in groups with their Bathukammas and place them in the center. They form circles around them and sing folk songs while clapping their hands and moving gracefully. After the singing and dancing, the Bathukammas are taken to nearby water bodies and set afloat. The festival celebrates the beauty of nature and the importance of water.
Maharashtra: Combining Dance and Devotion
In Maharashtra, people celebrate Dussehra with a mix of traditions. Like in Gujarat, they enjoy dancing Garba and Dandiya during Navratri nights. Families visit temples to offer prayers to the goddess.
On Dussehra day, people exchange leaves of the apta tree, which they call golden leaves. This symbolizes sharing good wishes and prosperity. Children touch the feet of their elders to seek blessings. Some people also worship their tools, vehicles, and instruments, thanking them for their service throughout the year.
Bihar and Uttar Pradesh: Fairs and Festivities
In the states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, Dussehra is a time of great excitement. People perform Ramlila plays in towns and villages. The stories of Lord Rama are told with enthusiasm, and everyone enjoys the performances.
Fairs are set up with rides, games, and food stalls. Families spend the day together, enjoying the festive atmosphere. On the final day, the effigies of Ravana are burned, and fireworks light up the sky. The burning symbolizes the end of evil and the start of good times.
Punjab: Fasting and Night-long Singing
In Punjab, the days leading up to Dussehra are a time for fasting and prayer. People, especially women, observe fasts during the nine days of Navratri. They eat only one meal a day and focus on spiritual activities.
At night, they hold Jagrans, which are gatherings where they sing devotional songs in praise of the goddess. These songs continue throughout the night. On Dussehra day, they break their fast and celebrate with feasts, sharing food with family and friends.
Odisha: Worship and Cultural Programs
In Odisha, Dussehra is known as Durga Puja, similar to West Bengal. People worship Goddess Durga in beautifully decorated pandals. The idols are crafted with great skill and are a sight to behold.
Cultural programs are organized where children and adults perform dances, songs, and plays. On the last day, the idols are immersed in water with much fanfare. The festival brings communities together and spreads joy and harmony.
Conclusion: Unity in Diversity
Dussehra is a festival that shows India's rich culture and diversity. Even though people celebrate it in different ways, the main message is the same—the victory of good over evil. Whether it is through dancing, praying, acting, or sharing, people come together to honor this important day.
The different traditions make each state's celebration unique and special. It reminds us that even in our differences, we share common values and joys. Dussehra brings everyone together in happiness and hope for a better future. So, wherever you are in India during this festive time, you'll find warmth, color, and a spirit of unity that makes Dussehra truly special.
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