Why the Dusserah has come into existence? What is its significance in Hindu Mythology and in day-to-day life.?

Question

Though it is known to many. How about following the signifiant way for keeping our Dharma on right path does it useful and make us remember every year and keep us to grow our characters, personality developmen and what not by both men and women in every society of the world. How far the Yuga and Culture go hand in hand for our betterment.

Answer 1

The festival is celebrated for nine nights twice every year during mid-March and the beginning of October, although as the dates of the festival are determined according to the Hindu lunar calendar, the festival may be held for a day more or a day less.

It sounds a little like a celebration of the changing of the seasons, in the spring and the fall.

Answer 2

It's hard to pick just one. I think I would have to go with Ravens because there is just something about that animal. To see a raven is an experience in and of itself. You can see other birds and wonder, "what the heck is that?" But when you see a raven, you know that is is freakin raven.. they're huge and ominous, yet there is something majestic about them. You can't help but stand and stare. Then the lore associated with them is great. In Celtic myth they're linked with The Morrigan, arguably one of the most kick*ss goddesses around. I know they are also connected to Odin. Then there is a great story from Native American(?) lore about the raven stealing the sun.

Answer 3

An evil satan named Mahishasur was created by a group of evil saints to conquer the heaven and trouble the good spirits. He tested his capability and became a ruler..He wanted to conquer the heaven..So he proclaimed his supriority over the Lord. Already Lord had given him several boons for his prayers..he started misusing them effectively..He thoguht a women cannot & will not kill him as she is weak in personality and will not be brave one.

His weakness was the creation of "Mahishasura Mardhini" by the Trimurthies. Mahishasura mardhini was created by them by all kind of grat strength, arms, weapons, knowledge and courage...

During the Seven day war with Mahishasur, Mahishasura mardhini stood on the top of a single sharp needle by keeping severe fast. Ultimately Mahishasur was defeated and became rain water.

Answer 4

Dusserah is celebrated on the name of goddess Durga, who is also called Shakti (Power). Dusserah is celebrated for nine days and each day Durga Matha will be worshipped in nine different Avatars representing nine rasas (emotions, which linked to ability and intelligence of a human being). Nine Rasas are part and parcel of one's shakti (physical and mental). For example Durga Devi worshipped as Saraswathi, who represents education,brilliance and intelligence. Sri lalithadevi,who represents occult power. Mahishasuramardhini, who represents bravery. Maha lakshmi, who represents business and earnings and so on. This festival is nothing but a feed back and reminder of one's duty and responsibility. More over to accommodate physical and moral strength to believers to over come lows of life.

Answer 5

Festivals are necessary. Treat them as story only. Do not use much mind. Ravan was not a fool. Why he allowed bridge next to his ports? Ayodhya was very BIG BUT no airport till day.

Answer 6

Victory of good over evil

Answer 7

Vijaya Dashami also known as Dasara, Dashahara,
Navaratri, Durgotsava is one of the very important,
widely celebrated, and fascinating festivals of India,
which is celebrated in the lunar month of Ashwin or
Aasviyuja (usually in September or October) from the
Shukla Paksha Pratipada.

Different parts of India celebrate the festival in
different ways. Some celebrate it as Navaratri, some as
Vijaya-Dashami to celebrate the victory of Goddess
Durga over Mahisha Asura, or celebrating Rama's victory
over Rawana. The celebrations vary from a day to nine
days (for Navaratri), to ten days (in Andhra Pradesh),
and to a month (in Karnataka).

In the Dwapara yuga, when the Pandavas has to spend one
year incognito, they hid all their astras on a Jammi
tree which has a thick foliage and whose branches are
filled with latent fire. They were spending their
Agnaatha Vaasam (hidout) with king Viraata. Messengers
from Kauravas searched for them everywhare and finally
went to that kingdom. Vijayadashami was the day on
which they retrieved the weapons from the tree and used
them to win the first victory over the Kauravas.

In India harvest season begins at this time and as
mother earth is the source of all food the Mother
Goddess is invoked to start afresh the new harvest
season and to reactivate the vigor and fertility of the
soil by doing religious performances and rituals which
invoke cosmic forces for the rejuvenation of the soil.
On the day of Dasara, statues of the Goddess Durga are
submerged in the river waters or sea.

Deeper meaning & significance of Navaratri:

The Word DASARA was derived from Sanskrit words 'Dasa'
(ten) and 'hara' (nullification) to give the meaning
'the ten day ritual to remove or reduce the effect of the
nine'.

As per Indian Vedic Astrology nine planets are (1) Ravi
(Sun), (2) Chandra (Moon), (3) Kuja (Mars), (4)
Budha (Mercury), (5) Guru (Jupiter), (6)
Shukra (Venus), (7) Shani (Saturn), (8) Rahu (North
Node) & (9) Ketu (South Node).

Human body has nine openings (1) two for seeing - Chakshu
(Eyes), (2) two for hearing - Karna (Ears), (3) two for
breathing - Nasika (Nostrils), (4) one for speech &
eating (Mouth), (5) one for Mala Visarjana (Anus) and
(6) one for Mutra Visarjana (urinary opening).

If the planets favor us, and all the openings of the
human body are kept under proper control through
rituals, the humans can expect better life.
The first ten days of Aasviyuja month are astologically
tuned for these rituals. The Sakti Upanishads provide
the details of the rituals.

Dasara in different parts of India:

In most of the northern India (Uttar Pradesh, Madhya
Pradesh, Punjab, Delhi, Hariyana etc) and some parts of
Maharashtra, Dasara is celebrated more in honor of
Rama. During these 10 days many plays and dramas based
on the epic of Ramayana are performed. These are called
Ramalila.

In Bengal, Dasara is celebrated as Durga Puja. Idols of
the goddess Durga are worshipped for nine days, and on
the tenth day immersed in a river or pond. In Bengal,
Assam and Orissa, Durga is also worshipped as Kali Matha
as a symbol of Shakti (Power). Hence the popular
name Kalakatta Kaalika.

In Mysore - Karanataka, decorated elephants lead a
colorful procession through the streets of the city.

In some regions all the three principal goddesses -
Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati are worshipped during this
festival - each for 3 days

In Gujarath, Rajasthan and most of Maharashtra during
the Navaratri days, the ladies and gents enjoy a
traditional dance called Raasa Garba every night.

http://www.panditjiusa.com/Dasara_Info.htm
http://www.answers.com/topic/dasara
http://www.eaisai.com/baba/docs/dasara.html
http://members.rediff.com/saivani/Dasara.htm
http://www.sathyasai.org/imagecol/Dasara/index.html
http://www.esamskriti.com/html/essay_index.asp?cat_name=festivals&cid=265&sid=92
http://www.bangalorebest.com/discoverbangalore/sightseeing/dasara.asp
http://www.bnaiyer.com/studies/d-dasarah.html
http://www.flonnet.com/fl2221/stories/20051021005611300.htm
http://www.mysoresamachar.com/dasara_03_elephants.htm
http://www.itinerantwitness.com/dasara-festival-in-mysore
http://www.ourkarnataka.com/dasara/filmfestival.htm
http://www.mysoreonline.co.in/dasara.htm
http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/oct42005/spectrum1414282005103.asp
http://www.esamskriti.com/html/new_inside.asp?cat_name=festivals&cid=265&sid=92
http://www.mysoredasara.info/
http://www.kannadaratna.com/festivals/dasara.html
http://www.ourkarnataka.com/dasara/dasara2002.htm

Answer 8

Friend,

all festivals in India aresome way related to some incidents in our Epics, and make us understand the Nature well and our neighbours also.They are meant to make all join in one place and celebrate, so that the fraternity improves.So that all live like a family.We have to learn the good from each festival.
In that way our character also changes...our perception changes....out understang the people changes to a better level.In this Yuga also these festivals help ( I think we need them most now).In the modern day tension filled life ,these festivals are went outs of our tension.

I copy the contents of Dasara from Wikipedia for further reference;

Dasara
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia -elaborates thus;
-------------------------------------------------
Dasara, also called "Navaratri", is among the most important festivals celebrated in India. Unlike Dussera, this is celebrated for 10 days in Southern parts.
The Festival of Dasara is celebrated on the occasion of Navaratri. Celebrations are unique ranging from worshipping goddess Chamundeshwari (Durga) to exhibiting colorful toys on the day of 'bombe habba' in Kannada or 'Bommala Koluvu' in Telugu.


Ayudha Puja
This day is to worship weapons. People in the modern days worship automobiles, their machines on this day.

'Weapons' have been replaced with 'tools of the trade'. So people worship carpentry tools, computers, vehicles, cooking utensils etc etc.

Vijaya Dashami
The last day of all the celebrations is Vijaya Dashami. In Mysore, the tradition of holding a grand procession through the streets of this historic city, with the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari riding in a golden Ambaari (Elephant-seat) heaved on Elephant-back has been in effect since time immemorial. Indeed, for many centuries, presiding over the 10-day festivities was the hallmark of sovereignty over the Kingdom of Mysore. The Wodeyar Maharajas of Mysore celebrated the annual event on a grand scale; "Mysore Dasara" has attained renown across the country and abroad. People from all over the world go to Mysore to witness this cultural event. Many cultural events are held at the main Palace in Mysore. Post Independence, the Government of Karnataka has taken over the tradition and is continuing the celebration every year in the same tradition as the Old Mysore Kingdom.The whole palace is illuminated with lights. The entire city has a festive look.

How to celebrate dasara?
In Karnataka, Ayudh Puja, the ninth day of Dasara, is celebrated with the worship of implements used in daily life such as computers, books, vehicles, kitchen tools etc.
It is an effort to see the divine in the tools and objects one uses in daily life. Basically it includes all tools that help one earn one's livelihood. So knowledge workers go for books, pen or computers, plough and other agricultural tools by the farmer, machinery by industrialists and cars/buses/trucks by transporters are decorated with flowers and worshiped on this day invoking God's blessing for success in coming years. It is believed that any new venture such as starting of business or purchasing of new household items on this day is bound to succeed.

A festive meals for puja time
It is day when the best meals is cooked for a festival.

Luchi
Aloor Dum
Cholar Dal
Begun Bhaja
Payesh

The History
This day marks the triumph of Lord Rama over Demon king Ravana. On this day, Rama killed Ravana.

Rama was asked to go on exile because his stepmother, Queen Kaikeyee was tricked into asking King Dasaratha to exile him for 14 years. Rama's wife Sita, and his brother Lakshmana went with him willingly.

News of Rama staying at an ashram while on exile spread rapidly. A demon, Shoorpanakha found her way there and demanded that Rama or Lakshmana marry her. When both brothers rejected her, she threatened to kill Sita, so that Rama would then be single again. Lakshmana then cut off her ears and nose.

Shoorpanakha's brother was the demon King Ravana. Ravana was incensed to hear what happened to his sister, and kidnapped Sita to avenge the insult.

The Ramayana chronicles Rama's travels and deeds as he searched for his wife, and defeated evil.

Celebrations
On this day, people spend the day decorating the entrances of houses & shops with flower studded strings called 'Torans' (Floral Gateways).

At night, effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakaran and Meghanad are stuffed with firecrackers and set alight. Children especially enjoy seeing this because of the beautiful fireworks on the ground. The festival, which is thought of as the "Victory of Good over Evil" and "Return of Rama from Exile" is celebrated in grand style. Because the day is auspicious, people inaugurate new vehicles, machines, books, weapons and tools by ceremonially asking god to bless the new items.

Different Celebrations in Different Parts of South Asia
Dussehra is celebrated in various ways in different parts of South Asia. In Bengal, the festival is celebrated as Kali Puja or Durga Puja, while in Tamil Nadu, the festival incorporates worship of the goddesses Lakshmi, Saraswati, and Shakti.

Some people feel that Dussehra and Dasara are not simply different transliterations of the same word, but two different festivals.

Dasara is the festival marking end of Navratri and the immersion of Durga idols which are worshipped for nine days prior to Dussehra. Dussehra is also the day when many families start formal education of their kids. The practise has been so old, that in some parts of Kerala, even after conversions to Christianity, some members of the community continued this tradition. In 2004, many churches in Kerala formally adopted the same tradition of introducing young children to education on Dussehra day.

The Dasara celebrations in Mysore are popular with tourists, and are conducted with great pomp. Dasara is celebrated in Nepal by the name of Dasara.