2007-04-01 03:51:20 · 4 answers · asked by Lucky Cat 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Dasara
Durga Puja, Dussehra or Dasera Festival Celebration
Dasara is celebrated allover India with a lot of fanfare and religious fervor. A religious as well as a social festival, Dasara is an occasion for pujas and festivities like music, dance and cultural programmes. In Southern India, especially in TamilNadu, Dasara is celebrated as Navarathiri.
Dussehra, Dasera, Durga Puja or Vijayadasami is celebrated to memorialize Rama’s victory over demon king Ravana who abducted the Rama’s wife Sita. This festival symbolizes a moral victory, as good prevails over evil.
In Delhi, in Ramlila maidan (ground) effigies of Ravana, Kumbakharna, his brother and son Meghnad are set ablaze by shooting arrows of fire at their effigies by a person who acts as Rama by putting on robes supposedly worn by him. He is accompanied to the venue by two persons who pose as Sita and Rama’s brother, Lakshmana.
The festival is celebrated as Durga Puja in West Bengal. The celebrations last for ten days. Durga idols are kept in pandals erected to facilitate worship of the goddess during this period. Goddess Durga personifies Shakti (life force). She was supposed to have slain the near invincible demon, Mahisasura. These idols are immersed in ponds or lakes on the ninth day. Goddess Durga’s vehicle is the lion.
In Tamil Nadu state, Navaratri (nine nights) celebrations take place. Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of wealth) is worshipped for the first three days, followed by Goddess Saraswati (Goddess of Knowledge) for three more days. And the last three days are dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga. In Hindu homes the eighth day or NAVAMI prayers are offered to Goddess Saraswathi the Goddess of learning, seeking knowledge.
Books of children and youngsters as well as musical instruments are placed before the Goddess on that day and pujas performed.
Goddess Durga is a manifestation of Devi, the mother goddess. The demon king, Mahisasura, became a threat to both mankind and Gods alike, thanks to a boon granted by Shiva who made him invincible. Only a woman could kill him according to a clause of the boon. So all the gods and goddesses united to form a supreme being in feminine form. This goddess was Durga. She vanquished Mahisasura. She protects mankind from all evil. That is why she has several hands, which brandish different weapons. Her vehicle is the tiger. She is also an incarnation of Parvati, consort of Lord Shiva.According to Hindu mythology, a very powerful Asura-demon king Mahishasuran prayed to the almighty and asked for a boon - that his death should at the hands of a woman and by no other human being or any form of living being.
On being granted his wish, he started inflicting atrocities on all human beings on the earth. He considered himself to be immortal as he thought that it was impossible for a woman or any female form of a human being to be powerful enough to kill him.
When his cruelty became unbearable, people prayed to Sakthi the consort of Lord Shiva to save them from the demon and to provide them with salvation. Sakthi then took the form of Durga and slayed the demon.
A very popular Sloka on Goddess Durga is:
Ayigiri Nandhini Nandhitha Medhini
Viswa Vinodhini Nandhanuthe
Girivara Vindhya Sirodhini Vasini
Vishnu Vilasini Jishnunuthe
Baghavathy He Sithi Kanda Kudumbhini
Boori Kudumbhini Boorikruthe
Jaya Jaya He Mahishasura Mardhini
Ramyaka Bardhini Sailasuthe.
The tenth day i.e. DASAMI is considered a day of victory as it signifies the day Sakthi slays the demon. It signifies the victory of good over evil. VIJAYADASAMI is a day to begin new ventures, be it business or education etc. as it is an auspicious day and assures one of success.
2007-04-01 16:53:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
My Attempt For a Best Answer-
Dasara-
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.
2007-04-01 04:01:20 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
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.
2007-04-01 04:36:53 · answer #3 · answered by Zain 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A major festival in India...see the details below.
2007-04-01 03:58:55 · answer #4 · answered by AuntLala 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋