Vijaya Dashami In Its Various Forms

Add as a preferred source on Google

Vijaya Dashami, Dussehra, Vidyarambham- each part of India celebrates the day in a different way. No matter how it is celebrated or what it is called, it is dedicated to the triumph of good over evil. The festival brings with it hope of a better future and a lot of gaiety and excitement.

The legends say that the day is celebrated as Dussehra to commemorate the occasion of Rama's victory over Ravana. In the eastern parts of India, it is celebrated as the day on which Durga Devi killed Mahishasura. In Kerala, Goddess Sarasvati is honoured by observing Vidyarambham.

Types Of Navratri Celebrated Across India

Vijaya Dashami, Dussehra, Vidyarambham- each part of India celebrates the day in a different way.

Image Courtesy: Kiranravikumar

West Bengal
Vijaya Dashami is one of the most important festivals of West Bengal. Pandals are built in which beautifully decorated idols of Durga, Ganesh, Kartik, Lakshmi and Saraswati are worshiped. On the tenth day of Durga Pooja, the idols are taken out in a grand procession with loud music and dancing. The idols are then immersed in a water body nearby. The immersion is to signify the return of the Goddess to her husband, Lord Shiva.

Married women here play with vermilion in a ritual called Sindur Khela. The ritual can be seen only in West Bengal.

Himachal Pradesh
The Day is cerebrated as Dussehra at Kullu in Himavhal Pradesh. It is celebrated in the Dhalpur Maidan in the Kullu Valley. On the tenth day of the rising moon, the celebrations of Dussehra starts and then goes on for seven more days.

16 Awesome Recipes For Navratri Fasting

The history of the celebration can be traced to the 17th century. King Jagat Singh installed an idol of the God Raghunath on the throne as a way of penance. And the God Raghunath was declared as the ruling diety of the area.

Image Courtesy: Jagadhatri

Karnataka
Vijaya Dashami is the grand end to the Navaratri celebration in Karnataka. The Dussehra celebrations at Mysore needs to have a special mention. The whole city is lit up with lights and colour.

The main deity of the state, Goddess Chamundeshwari, is worshiped and carried through the city on a decked elephant (Ambari). The grand procession starts from the Mysore Palace to the Banni Mantapa.

Gujarat
Navaratri is the most important festival of Gujarat. People gather in huge numbers and perform the Garba, the folk dance of Gujarat. Joy and excitement fills the air as men and women sway to the tunes of traditional songs. Worship of the Goddess starts all the festivities on the day.

Kerala
In Kerala, the day is celebrated as Vidyarambham, which translates into the 'beginning of education'. The Goddess Saraswati is worshiped and students take her blessings for success in all their endeavors. Little children are made to write their first words on this day to mark the beginning of a lifetime of learning.